Head of a Woman, for "The Valentine" 1809 - 1811

Editor: This is Washington Allston's "Head of a Woman, for 'The Valentine'". It's a small drawing. I find it very gentle. What do you see in the composition? Curator: The work strikes me through its masterful use of line and shadow. Note the economy of means: Allston captures the essence of the subject with a nuanced interplay of light. How does this restricted tonal range affect your reading? Editor: It seems to give it softness, like a dream. I hadn't considered how much the technique contributes to the overall mood. Curator: Precisely. The artist's delicate application allows the texture of the paper to become integral to the image. A subtle yet powerful compositional element. Editor: I see that now. Thank you for pointing out the beauty of the technique!