Study Of A Man’s Head. Attrib. Enrico Reffo.

Study of a Man’s Head – Attributed to Enrico Reffo

Charcoal and white chalk on slightly tinted paper

Dimensions: 47 x 31 cm

Italy, late 19th – early 20th century

Provenance: studio of Guglielmino, pupil of Reffo, Turin

This drawing depicts the profile of an adult man in civilian clothing, his gaze directed upwards with a contemplative expression. The carefully handled charcoal and subtle white highlights give volume and intensity to the face.

Although unsigned, the sheet is confidently attributed to Enrico Reffo (1831–1917), a Piedmontese painter known for his lifelong dedication to sacred art and his role as teacher at the Collegio degli Artigianelli in Turin. Reffo also produced numerous portraits of ecclesiastics and figures from his religious circle, often intended for integration into larger devotional compositions. The sheet comes from the studio of his pupil Guglielmino, which further supports a direct attribution.

The upward gaze, refined modelling, and overall sobriety of the drawing reflect the artistic atmosphere of late 19th-century Turin, where sacred art remained an essential and vibrant expression of spiritual life.