Juan Luis Gonzalez (20th Century) American, Pencil Drawn Female Figure on Paper. Depicts in rough but precise detail a graphite portrait of a young woman with a fan, seated, looking at the artist. Signed bottom right. Framed. Likely a very personalized image, done for and gifted to the sitter. 

Condition: Some discoloration. Commensurate with age. 

Overall Size: 17 1/2 x 15 in. 

Sight Size: 10 x 8 in. 

Artists’ models have played a crucial yet often overlooked role in the history of art. From family members to professional models, their contributions are vital to understanding the creative process and the development of artistic styles. Whether clothed or nude, the study of the figural shape is often one of the most crucial steps to any artist’s career, as they begin to understand proportion, form, shading, and more. While some models like Kiki de Montparnasse, Suzanne Valadon, and Victorine Meurent achieved fame alongside the artists they worked with, many more remain anonymous, their stories lost to history, even though their likenesses are immortalized in famous artworks. Perhaps the most famous painting in history, the Mona Lisa, has seen thousands of hours of research and study devoted to discovering the identity of the eponymous model, as her mysterious smile and remarkable gaze have captivated artists, patrons, and art historians alike since its creation.

Some discoloration. Commensurate with age.