The artwork, titled “Head of a Black Man,” was created by Eastman Johnson in 1868. This painting belongs to the Realism art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture.
The artwork depicts the somber and deeply expressive visage of a man, his face illuminated by a subtle, warm light that contrasts sharply with the dark background. The artist’s adept use of chiaroscuro brings out the weathered features and textured hair of the subject, imbuing the portrait with a sense of depth and realism. The strong, introspective gaze of the man captures the viewer’s attention, evoking a profound sense of dignity and introspection. The strokes of the brush are purposefully loose yet deliberate, adding to the overall emotional impact and authenticity of the painting.
