I've become more and more interested in the history of portraiture and the manners in which changing technologies broadened access to having portraits made of oneself, and shaped the manner of representation. And also in how we have always wanted to enhance images of ourselves! The first charcoal portraits date to the 1860s, and became increasingly popular in the later 1800s--photo portraits printed on paper and enhanced with charcoal drawing. This one I purchased from the estate of an artist near me, drawn to his handsomeness, and sense of being just on the cusp of fully coming into himself, and that beautiful passage of mark-making for his hair. With a wonderful little bow tie at his neck and stain at upper left seems like a lucky cloud.
12 1/2" x 9 1/2". One tear along left edge, easily backed with tape (I can do if you like) and stain at upper right.
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