Artwork Page for Head of Caracalla

Details / Information for Head of Caracalla

Head of Caracalla

c. 1768

Jean-Baptiste Greuze

(French, 1725–1805)
Culture
France, 18th century
Medium
Red chalk on cream laid paper
Support
Cream(3) laid paper, perimeter mounted to a false margin of cream(2) board
Measurements
Sheet: 38.8 x 30.3 cm (15 1/4 x 11 15/16 in.); Secondary Support: 45.6 x 37.1 cm (17 15/16 x 14 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1999.48
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

As part of their training in the late 18th century, French artists practiced drawing têtes d'expression, or expressive heads, that display subtleties of human emotion. Greuze made this chalk study in preparation for a painting in which the Roman emperor Septimius Severus rebukes his notoriously ruthless son, Caracalla, for attempting to assassinate him. Although Greuze based this face for the figure of Caracalla on a Roman portrait bust, he imaginatively adapted the facial expression to dramatize Caracalla’s resentment and humiliation during the confrontation.
A vertically oriented red chalk drawing on cream paper depicts the head and upper shoulder of Caracalla, a man with light skin tone. He faces right, looking downward with furrowed brows, resting his chin against his right thumb and forefinger. Dense curls define his short hair. Heavy diagonal hatching creates deep shadows across the side of his neck and face, contrasting with the sketchy, loose lines that shape his shoulder.

Head of Caracalla

c. 1768

Jean-Baptiste Greuze

(French, 1725–1805)
France, 18th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork