Head of an Old Man

Art Historical Context

Kerr Eby's *Head of an Old Man (ca. 1918) is a poignant graphic arts print from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, gifted in memory of Harry Katz. at the close of World War I, bust-length portrait captures the weathered face of an elderly figure wearing a hat, rendered with Eby's masterful etching technique. As a leading American printmaker his era, Eby was renowned for his realistic depictions of human subjects and dramatic scenes, often drawing from his experiences as a war illustrator in France. Eby's style reflects the Ashcan School's influence and the broader etching revival, emphasizing texture, shadow, and emotional depth through intricate line work and subtle tonal variations. The drypoint or etching medium allowed him to convey the ravages of time on the subject's lined skin and expressive eyes, evoking quiet resilience amid wartime hardship. This intimate study stands out in his oeuvre, which includes powerful WWI battlefield prints, highlighting his versatility in portraiture. Housed in the Smithsonian Collection, the work invites visitors to ponder the human stories behind history's upheavals, blending technical precision with profound empathy. A testament to early 20th-century American graphic arts, it reminds us of art's power to immortalize the ordinary face.

About the Artist

Kerr Eby · 1889–1946

Kerr Eby (1889–1946) was a Canadian-born American printmaker and painter who became one of the most accomplished etchers of his generation and a powerful chronicler of the experience of war. Born in Tokyo to Canadian parents, he grew up in New York and studied at the Pratt Institute and the Art Students League under George Bridgman. Eby volunteered for service in World War I and saw action in Fra...