Head of a Girl
1851 to 1875
Image not available — this artwork is under copyright
View on museum website →Medium
black chalk on wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 40.7 x 51 cm (16 x 20 1/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.8945
Art Historical Context
Henri Matisse's *Head of a Girl* a delicate drawing from the mid-19th century, the artist's early exploration of form through a sensitive portrait study. Created between 1851 and 1875 using black chalk on wove, this work measures 40.7 x 51 cm and exemplifies the intimate scale of preparatory sketches favored by artists of the era. Matisse's use of black chalk allows for rich tonal variations, from soft shading to bold contours, highlighting his skill in rendering subtle facial features and evoking a sense of youthful introspection. The medium of wove paper, known for its smooth, even texture,...
About the Artist
Henri Matisse · 1869–1954
Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was a French painter, draughtsman, printmaker, and sculptor who is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and the greatest colorist of his era. Born in Le Cateau-Cambresis in northern France, Matisse initially studied law before discovering his passion for art during a period of convalescence at age 20. He became the leading figure of F...