Sketches of Four Heads and a Child

Sketches of Four Heads and a Child is an early graphic work by Umberto Boccioni Italian, 1882-1916, created in 1907. This intimate piece, classified as a print, was executed using the etching technique on ivory wove paper. The composition gathers several fragmentary figure studies, depicting multiple distinct heads—including four adult profiles or frontal views and the suggestion of a child’s portrait. These rapid, decisive lines suggest an observational study drawn from life, showcasing Boccioni’s immediate and dynamic approach to his subjects.

The handling of the needle in this etching demonstrates the artist’s foundational skill in portraiture and figural representation, preceding his groundbreaking contributions to the Futurist movement, which would formally launch two years later. While his later works would radically explore dynamism and the chaos of the modern industrial city, this print emphasizes Boccioni’s academic draftsmanship acquired during his training in Italy.

The subject matter, focusing on expressive faces and heads, aligns with the prevalent post-impressionist interest in psychological depth that characterized Italian art of the period. This work displays the inherent capacity of the print medium to convey nuanced expression through minimal means. This important study by Boccioni is part of the extensive collection of prints held by the Art Institute of Chicago. As this artwork is now in the public domain, high-resolution images are often available for scholarly research and personal reference.