Head Pugacheva. Sketch. Fig. 19, 1h17, 9 TG Vasily Perov (1833-1882)

The drawing presents a portrait study, executed in charcoal or graphite on paper. The subject is depicted from approximately the chest upwards, with a focus on the face and head. A palpable sense of immediacy characterizes the work; it appears to be a rapid sketch rather than a meticulously finished piece.
Here we see a man rendered with exaggerated features. His eyes are wide and slightly bulging, conveying an impression of surprise or perhaps anxiety. The eyebrows are sharply angled and raised, contributing to this expression. The mouth is drawn in a tight line, suggesting tension or displeasure. A thick beard obscures much of the lower face, its texture indicated by dense hatching that creates volume and shadow.
The head is crowned with what appears to be a substantial cap or hat, rendered with loose, energetic strokes that suggest both form and texture. The hair around the face is similarly chaotic, adding to the overall impression of unrestrained energy. The artist has employed a range of tonal values, from deep blacks in the shadowed areas to lighter grays where light falls, creating a sense of depth and volume.
The drawing’s style suggests an interest in capturing not merely physical likeness but also psychological state. The distortion of features moves beyond simple representation; it seems intended to convey a particular mood or feeling – a complex interplay of apprehension and perhaps even defiance. There is a certain vulnerability present, despite the exaggerated expression. Its possible that the sketch aims to capture a fleeting moment of emotion, a momentary glimpse into the subject’s inner world. The unfinished quality reinforces this sense of spontaneity and immediacy, as if the artist were striving to quickly record an observation before it vanished.