Solon H. Borglum, born Ogden, UT - Head - n.d. - T-Shirt

A small graphite pencil study shows a man's head in profile, drawn quickly on warm, yellowed paper by American sculptor Solon Borglum.

Visual Elements & Composition

The figure sits in a small corner of a sheet tinted pale yellow, and that open paper does much of the work. Graphite grey carries the drawing, with shading built up only in the hair, around the eyes and beneath the brim of a hat with a flat, angled edge. A pair of spectacles sits on the nose, and the collar and jacket are sketched with light, loose strokes, a button-like fastening marking the shoulder. The head is turned left and angled slightly downward, so the composition reads as one quiet profile with no setting around it.

Meaning & Symbolism

Head studies like this record a single moment of observation rather than a finished portrait. The restraint of the marks leaves the viewer to complete the character, which gives the sitter a reserved, thoughtful bearing. Solon Borglum (1868-1922) was born in Ogden, Utah, and became known for bronze animal and Western subjects, along with years of work in Paris. He was the younger brother of Gutzon Borglum. Drawings like this one show the close study of the human form that underpinned his sculptural modelling.

Built for the Quiet Details

A drawing this small rewards a close look, and a tee puts it right where that looking happens: across the chest, at conversation distance. The profile and the open paper translate well to a shirt, since the pale ground and light lines let the figure hold its own against the fabric. Wear it when you want the image to be the quiet focus of the outfit.