Study of a Child's Head in Profile
Drawing on paper • Circle of or Manner of Jean-Baptiste Greuze or François Boucher
Style & Movement
Rococo or Neoclassical Academism
Medium & Technique
Red chalk (sanguine) on laid paper; features cross-hatching, stumping for shadows, and calligraphic linework in the hair.
Creation Period
Late 18th to 19th Century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 40 x 30 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A character study (tête d'expression) showing a young child with curly hair in profile. The work focuses on the soft anatomy of the face and the rhythmic patterns of the hair, common in French academic traditions.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; shows consistent aging and minor structural integrity issues at edges.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500
Auction Estimate
$1,000 - $2,500
Provenance History
Unknown; visible numerals on the adjacent surface (3950) suggest an auction or inventory lot number. The style suggests it may have originated from a European teaching collection or a private estate of 18th-century master drawings.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the 18th-century French pedagogical focus on 'sanguine' drawings. It demonstrates the transition from Rococo decorative sensibilities to the more structured anatomical studies of the Neoclassical era.
Notable Features
Highly expressive rendering of the hair with fluid, circular strokes; the use of 'sfumato-like' blending on the cheek against sharp linear definitions of the nose and lips.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing (small brown spots) across the sheet, slight yellowing of the paper acid, and minor creasing/wear along the perimeter. Evidence of light staining at the top edge.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional de-acidification and cleaning for foxing; suggests mounting with acid-free reversible hinges and UV-protective glazing to prevent further fading of the red chalk.