Caricature of a Man in the Small Hat

The Caricature of a Man in the Small Hat by Claude Monet French, 1840-1926, is a graphite drawing executed on cream wove paper between 1855 and 1856. This remarkably preserved early work provides significant insight into Monet’s artistic beginnings, preceding his pivotal role in the Impressionist movement by more than a decade. During his teenage years in Le Havre, France, the young artist gained local notoriety, and even a small income, producing witty and often exaggerated portraits of local figures. The technique is precise and skillful, using the graphite medium effectively to capture the subject's distinct facial features and the texture of his attire, emphasizing the disproportionately small hat referenced in the title.

Although classified as a drawing, Caricature of a Man in the Small Hat demonstrates Monet’s early mastery of line and observational skill. The subject, rendered with a keen eye for humor, epitomizes the popularity of satirical graphic arts in mid-19th century France. Unlike the later Impressionist canvases he would become famous for, this piece is firmly rooted in the popular drawing traditions of the era. It is one of a series of formative studies that establish the artist's dedication to draftsmanship before his focus shifted entirely to the effects of light and color in oil painting. This important early work is preserved in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars a valuable perspective on the evolution of one of France's most renowned cultural figures. As a drawing considered within the public domain, high-quality reference prints are widely accessible for academic study.