Self-Portrait Charles Samuel Keene (1823-1891)

Here we observe a drawing depicting a figure in profile, likely a self-portrait given the intimate and direct gaze. The subject is positioned at a slight angle, allowing for a view of both the face and shoulder. A hat obscures much of the hair, its form rendered with dense, agitated hatching that creates a sense of volume and texture. This treatment contrasts sharply with the smoother rendering of the facial features.
The artist employed a technique characterized by rapid, overlapping lines to build up tone and suggest form. The shading is particularly concentrated around the cheekbone and jawline, emphasizing the contours of the face and contributing to an overall impression of somberness. Light falls across the subject’s face from the left, highlighting the nose and upper lip while leaving the right side in shadow.
The eyes are rendered with a careful attention to detail; they convey a sense of introspection or melancholy. The mouth is subtly downturned, reinforcing this feeling. Theres an intentional lack of refinement in the drawing’s execution – lines are visible, unfinished, and seemingly spontaneous. This approach lends a raw immediacy to the work, suggesting a focus on capturing a fleeting moment or emotional state rather than achieving a polished likeness.
The background is largely absent, with only faint indications of the headwears form sketched in lightly. The drawing’s composition directs attention squarely onto the subject’s face and upper body, creating an intimate connection between viewer and portrayed. It suggests a study, perhaps preliminary to a larger work, or a spontaneous expression of self-reflection.