Head of a Man 1760 - 1817

Claude Jean-Baptiste Hoin made this drawing with black and white chalk on paper. It depicts the head of an unknown man. Such images can be valuable historical documents. In late eighteenth-century France, the institutions of art, like the Royal Academy, played a crucial role in shaping artistic careers. Hoin was a member of the Royal Academy. He was part of a system of patronage and power that helped promote certain styles and subjects. How did artists position themselves in relation to that system? The hairstyle and clothing suggest the sitter was an elite member of society. Yet Hoin has not idealized the man. What might that imply about the relationship between artist and sitter? Records of the Royal Academy, journals, and letters can provide additional insights into the social and institutional context of this artwork. They can help us reflect on the relationship between art and social status.