Caricature of a Man Standing by Desk (recto); Sketch of Male Head in Profile (verso)

ABOUT THIS WORK

In this early drawing, a young man stands confidently, almost defiantly, by a desk, his hands tucked into his pockets. This lively caricature, created when the artist was just 15 years old, captures a moment of youthful observation with remarkable precision. The figure's exaggerated features and posture, rendered in graphite, suggest a keen eye for character and a budding talent for capturing personality. It offers a glimpse into the artist's beginnings, well before he would become known for his vibrant landscapes. On the reverse side, a quick sketch of a male head in profile further demonstrates this early dedication to drawing and the exploration of form. This piece, made on cream wove paper, reveals the foundational skills that underpinned a long and influential career.

DETAILS

Artist: Claude Monet
Date: 1855
Medium: Graphite on cream wove paper
Location: Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions: 20.3 × 16.6 cm (8 × 6 9/16 in.)
Collection: Prints and Drawings
Culture: France
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Carter H. Harrison Collection

ART MOVEMENTS

Impressionism

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What to Notice

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01

Oversized profile head

Start with the large, bald head and prominent nose set on a small, slight body. The exaggerated proportions are classic caricature, a mode Monet practiced as a teenager.

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02

Hatched hair shading

Look at the dense diagonal pencil strokes on the skull. A few quick lines give the head weight and roundness, while the face stays lightly drawn.

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03

The open hand

The small open hand reaches toward the desk, drawn with a few quick lines. The gesture suggests a man speaking or making a point.

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04

Striped cast shadows

On the right, the shadow is built from tight parallel strokes that stretch across the floor. It grounds the figure and adds a playful sense of space.

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05

Handwritten inscriptions

A name is written across the top and a line of handwriting runs along the bottom. The loose, quick script matches the casual spirit of the sketch.

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THE ARTIST

Claude Monet

1840–1926 · France

Claude Monet, the visionary founder of Impressionism, transformed how we see light and nature, famously capturing the same scene repeatedly to reveal fleeting moments.

Read Monet’s full story