Bust of Old Man
1776/1808
Medium
Pen and brown ink, on cream laid paper, laid down on cream laid paper
Dimensions
10.2 × 8.3 cm (4 1/16 × 3 5/16 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
83449
Art Historical Context
Samuel Shelley’s “Bust of Old Man,” created sometime between 1776 and 1808, offers a quiet study in character and line. Executed in pen and brown ink on cream laid paper that has been mounted on a second sheet, the small drawing measures just 10.2 by 8.3 centimeters. Its modest scale and precise medium reflect the intimate, portable nature of many works on paper from the period, allowing artists to capture fleeting observations with economy and clarity. The choice of pen and ink was especially suited to exploring texture and expression. Fine, controlled strokes could suggest the wrinkles, fol...