The Head of an African

Dateca. 1830

Maker Paul-Jean Flandrin French, 1811 - 1902

Label TextLike many of his contemporaries trained under neoclassicism, Flandrin painted numerous small studies of heads-many of which were collected individually rather than used for larger compositions. This compelling portrait of an unidentified African man was painted at a time when France was expanding its presence in Africa. While we can only guess the artist's opinion of French colonialism, he clearly admires this individual, whose smoldering intensity rivets our attention.

The tight framing of this portrait harnesses intense energy within a small format. The artist provides minimal information, but the painting rivets our attention and arouses our curiosity: Who is this man? What has drawn his gaze? While we may never know the answers to these questions, we do know something about the artist and the conditions that gave rise to this painting.

Object number2005.112

Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Black Art II, Nov. 21, 2008 - Mar. 15, 2009. Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Emblems of Encounter: Europe and Africa over 500 Years, Jan. 23, 2016 - Jan. 29, 2023.Published ReferencesSeattle Art Museum. Annual Report, 2004-2005, p. 17, illus. p. 8 "Seattle Art Museum: Bridging Cultures." London: Scala Publishers Ltd. for the Seattle Art Museum, 2007, pp. 64-65, illus. p. 64 Otele, Olivette. African Europeans: An Untold History. London: Hurst & Company, 2020; cover.

Credit LineEuropean Painting Fund, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

Dimensions8 x 6 3/4 in. (20.3 x 17.1 cm)

MediumOil on canvas mounted on wood panel