Girl Side

This drawing is an academic cast study of a classical female bust, executed with fine graphite or charcoal and displaying strong mastery of tonal rendering. The bust represents a figure from Greco-Roman sculpture, shown in profile, with the head turned gracefully to the right. Her hair is arranged in elaborate, braided sections that are gathered at the back, giving the portrait an elegant and sculptural silhouette.

The artist has carefully modeled the transitions of light across the marble-like surface, using smooth gradients to describe the planes of the chest, neck, and face. Subtle highlights fall along the upper chest and cheek, while deeper shadows on the left side of the composition (viewer’s left) create a dramatic contrast that enhances the three-dimensional quality of the bust.

The figure is depicted without arms, consistent with many classical statues and plaster casts used in art academies. The torso is sensitively rendered, with gentle curvature and soft shading suggesting both anatomical structure and the polished finish of stone.

The dark background — heavily worked with dense, layered strokes — amplifies the luminosity of the figure and anchors the composition in a traditional atelier style. The lower edge contains a handwritten signature and date, likely belonging to the student who produced the piece.