Study: Head of a Young Girl Facing to the Left n.d.

Carle van Loo created this study of a young girl’s head using pastel, chalk, and charcoal, all applied to paper. The choice of media is important here. Unlike oil paint, these materials don't lend themselves to blending, so they are ideal for capturing the fleeting appearance of things, rather than their underlying structure. This is an artwork that shows the artist working quickly, seizing a likeness, likely in preparation for a larger painting. Look closely, and you can see the marks of the artist's hand. Van Loo carefully built up the forms using hatching and cross-hatching, layering the pastel and chalk to create subtle gradations of tone. The result is a delicate and intimate portrait that captures the young girl's youthful beauty. Although this study might be seen as merely preparatory, it's through the artist's hand-work that we see the artist's care and skill, reminding us that even in the age of mechanical reproduction, there is still something special about the handmade.