Study of a Man's Head c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have an intriguing drawing titled "Study of a Man's Head." It's unsigned and undated, so the artist remains anonymous. It's executed in sanguine on paper. What strikes me is the economy of line, creating form with such simple strokes. What do you see here? Curator: Indeed. Notice how the artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to define the planes of the face and the folds of the cap. The limited palette—the single sanguine hue against the ground—emphasizes the pure form. The lines themselves possess an inherent expressiveness, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely, it's as if the line alone is telling the story. Thanks for pointing out the technique! Curator: My pleasure. The elegance of form speaks volumes, even without knowing its precise origins.