Head of a Young Man 

Alphonse Legros made this drawing, Head of a Young Man, with graphite on paper. The composition is immediately striking for its simplicity and directness. The young man’s head and upper torso are centered, filling the frame. Legros masterfully uses graphite to model form through delicate gradations of tone. The hatching and cross-hatching create a sense of volume, particularly in the contours of the face and neck. The play of light and shadow across the planes of the face gives the portrait a sculptural quality, reminiscent of classical busts. Legros was interested in the precise observation and rendering of form. The delicate lines suggest a concern with the structural anatomy beneath the surface. It is more than just a likeness; it is an exploration of form and structure. The careful arrangement of lines and tones functions not only as a representation but also as an investigation into the fundamental elements of visual language.