Face of Man (from Sketchbook) 1811 - 1893

This is "Face of Man," a pencil drawing by John William Casilear. It comes from a sketchbook, so was probably made *en plein air* – out in the open air, quickly, so as to capture a fleeting impression. The pencil is a deceptively humble instrument. Though we take it for granted, it was an important technology in the 19th century, allowing for the mass production of marks on paper. Casilear used it here to create a quick likeness. You can see how efficiently he has captured the man's features. What makes this more than a mere doodle is the artist's deftness. He has quickly built up tone, using the side of the pencil to create soft shadows. While his subject may not be particularly remarkable, this drawing reminds us that skill, draftsmanship, and observation were fundamental to the art of this period. And just like the pencil itself, the ability to make a quick, accurate sketch was itself a kind of technology - one that was essential to the visual culture of the time.