Henri Charles Guerard (1846-1897)
Head of Black Man
c. 1888-1891
Etching
13 x 9 3/4″ (33.02 x 24.77 cm)
Wetmore Print Collection, Connecticut College
FW-0273
Guerard likely created the portrait “Head of Black Man” between 1888 and 1891. Guerard drew a directly related portrait, “Head of Black Woman” in 1888 that was parallel in subject, size, and form. Guerard created other similar portraits of people he knew during this time as well, including a series of portraits around 1888 with titles beginning with “Head of.” While the subject of this artwork is unknown, Guerard created a portrait of a black man, not stereotype or spectacle as was a common portrayal of black people in 19th -century French art.
