Head of a Girl

Metalpoint drawings such as this one require a skilled hand and concentrated effort. They are typically made on a sheet of paper that has been prepared with a ground. Southall made his own white ground by hand, creating a smooth surface that allowed him to use a metal stylus to produce a carefully controlled line. This drawing reveals Southall’s ability to capture both the physical appearance and inner character of this unknown woman. The downward tilt of her head and her faraway gaze, heightened by the light reflected in her eyes and the shadow on her brow, lend the image an air of introspection (2022).