Kop van een opziende man, met neerwaartse blik

The drawing Kop van een opziende man, met neerwaartse blik by Théodore Géricault was executed during the height of the French Romantic movement, created sometime between 1801 and 1824. Rendered primarily in chalk on paper, this detailed character study exemplifies Géricault’s powerful draftsmanship and his profound interest in conveying psychological depth through human expression. The intense focus on the man's head, combined with the dramatic play of light and shadow, creates an immediate and powerful sense of introspection. The figure’s gaze, though directed upward, is shrouded in darkness and angled downward, generating an effect of deep melancholy or internal conflict, which was a core thematic concern for Géricault and his contemporaries.

Géricault’s use of chalk allows for a rapid yet nuanced treatment of texture and volume, defining the contours of the face while employing smudging and precise hatching to build form. Works such as this demonstrate the artist’s commitment to dramatic realism, often focusing on subjects experiencing emotional extremity or unique psychological states. Although the drawing may have functioned as a preparatory sketch for a larger canvas, its technical mastery ensures its standing as a significant independent artwork. This important piece is housed within the prestigious collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Given its age and recognized cultural significance, high-resolution images of this masterwork are frequently made available in the public domain, allowing art enthusiasts access to detailed study prints worldwide.