Contemplating Character

Portrait Drawings & Oil Sketches From Jacques-Louis David to Lucian Freud

On display through April 2, 2023

Jacques-Louis David (French, 1748-1825), A Turbaned Man in Distress, 1815, black chalk on ivory laid paper.

Photo courtesy of Landau Traveling Exhibitions

Contemplating Character: Portrait Drawings & Oil Sketches from Jacques-Louis David to Lucian Freud explores the evolution of portraiture in 80 works on paper by famous European and American artists. The works range from the 18th century to present day and encompass the many art styles and movements during this expanse of time. They reveal the challenge of artists engaged with portraiture: accurately to portray an individual’s physical appearance and capture the sitter’s personality and soul.

All the works are drawn from the personal collection of Robert Flynn Johnson, Curator Emeritus of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Contemplating Character: Portrait Drawings & Oil Sketches from Jacques-Louis David to Lucian Freud is organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA in association with Denenberg Fine Arts, West Hollywood, CA.