Large Head c. 1923 - 1924

Walt Kuhn's striking "Large Head" drawing presents us with a face that seems to emerge from the shadows, its gaze both captivating and unsettling. The elongated features and stark contrasts are reminiscent of the stylized faces found in early Cycladic art, where simplicity and abstraction conveyed a sense of the divine. Consider the eyes—large, almond-shaped, and intensely focused. These eyes echo the watchful gaze of ancient idols meant to ward off evil, reappearing in Byzantine icons and even in the portraits of the Renaissance. The dark shading on one side of the face evokes a sense of mystery. The severe hairstyle, pulled back and rigid, can be traced through history. From the disciplined coiffures of Roman busts to the sleek styles of the Art Deco era, hair has often signified order and control. Here, it perhaps reflects the anxieties and repressions of the modern age, a mask that both conceals and reveals. This image, therefore, is not just a portrait but a potent symbol, echoing motifs that have haunted the human psyche for millennia. It reminds us that every face is a repository of collective memory.