Study for the Frieze of Sainte Geneviève c. 1875

This charcoal drawing, titled "Study for the Frieze of Sainte Geneviève," is a preparatory sketch by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, a prominent French Symbolist painter. Dating back to c. 1875, the artwork captures a single, life-size male head tilted upward, with a heavy beard, gazing heavenward in a contemplative, almost devotional manner. This study serves as a testament to Chavannes' meticulous approach to composition and his exploration of the human form. It's believed to be a preparatory study for the frieze of the Pantheon in Paris, depicting the life of Saint Genevieve, a patron saint of Paris.