'Study of a Man's Face in Profile, with Open Mouth', Joseph Mallord William Turner | Tate

Artwork details

Artist

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775‑1851)

Title

Study of a Man's Face in Profile, with Open Mouth

From Figure Studies

Date c.1796-7

MediumChalk on paper

Dimensionssupport: 347 x 243 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856

Reference

D40248

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Catalogue entry

Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775–1851

Study of a Man’s Face in Profile, with Open Mouth c.1796–7

D40248

Pencil on white wove paper, 347 x 243 mm
Stamped in brown ink with Turner Bequest monogram bottom centre

Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856

References

This incomplete study seems to be an exercise of the type suggested by Charles Le Brun (1619–1690) in his Méthode pour apprendre á dessiner les Passions, 1668; it may represent ‘Horror’, and have been suggested by the horrified head on the soldier’s shield on the recto of the sheet (D00721; Turner Bequest XXIX P).

Andrew Wilton
April 2012

Read this catalogue entry in full

This catalogue entry is part of: David Blayney Brown (ed.), J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours, December 2012.

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Context

Joseph Mallord William Turner

Tate Collection

Gifts and bequests

Turner Bequest