Head of a Man, Left Profile

The masterful drawing Head of a Man, Left Profile by Jacques-Louis David (French, 1748-1825) dates from the height of the Napoleonic era, estimated between 1805 and 1815. This precise profile study was executed primarily in graphite, applied to off-white laid paper, with faint traces of black chalk adding subtle depth. The original sheet is carefully preserved, having been edge mounted onto supportive cream wove paper. This technical approach highlights David's characteristic classical rigor and commitment to clear, defined forms, standard within the French Neoclassical movement he championed throughout his long career.

David, known internationally for his monumental history paintings and his influential role as First Painter to Emperor Napoleon, utilized such figure studies to perfect the anatomy and ideal classical poses for his grand compositions. The subject’s severe, idealized features reflect the enduring influence of Greco-Roman sculpture on the artist's aesthetic in France. Although the sitter cannot be identified definitively, the work exemplifies the clarity and draughtsmanship that made David the foremost painter of his generation. This essential piece of preparatory work is housed in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a critical example of early 19th-century European drawing. As this piece is now within the public domain, high-quality prints and reproductions allow broader public access to the preparatory genius demonstrated by David in this compelling study.