Hector Berlioz (1803-186) Félix Édouard Vallotton (1865-1925)

The drawing presents a portrait rendered in stark black and white, utilizing a woodcut style characterized by bold lines and areas of solid tone. The subject is depicted from the chest up, facing directly toward the viewer with a solemn expression. His hair, thick and styled with pronounced curls, dominates the upper portion of the composition, framing his face and contributing to an overall sense of gravity.
The artist employed a limited tonal range to emphasize the contours of the man’s features. Deep shadows are carved beneath his brow and around his eyes, suggesting introspection or perhaps melancholy. The lines defining his mouth are subtly downturned, reinforcing this impression. A high collar and dark suit suggest formality and a certain degree of social standing.
The starkness of the medium lends itself to an almost graphic quality; the absence of color intensifies the focus on form and expression. The white border surrounding the figure creates a sense of isolation, drawing attention solely to the individual portrayed.
Beneath the image, the name A Berlioz is inscribed in a simple, sans-serif font, providing identification without disrupting the visual impact. A signature, “FV,” appears in the lower right corner, indicating the artist’s authorship. The overall effect conveys an air of seriousness and perhaps even a hint of restrained drama, qualities that might be associated with someone involved in artistic creation.