Ink/Tempera and Graphite Portrait of Presumed African American Young Man cream with its maker portraying himself

with its maker portraying himself legs-up inside of the ink bottle

When I found this mug I would have guessed it was made just a few years ago--it's in perfect condition

I have come to think of him as a jig doll version of Mick Jagger (Mick Jigger

This silhouette came from a batch of them

sculptural thing

Ink/Tempera and Graphite Portrait of Presumed African American Young Man cream with its maker portraying himselfI would guess this sensitive portrait dates to the mid 19th century or so, and appears to be executed in a combination of graphite and ink, with the white looking perhaps to be tempera paint. I take him to be African American, and a very handsome young man, and find in his face a combination of vulnerability and determination that feels very tender and true. Lovely. 6 1 8" x 4 3 8". On card. A bit of paint loss and scattered scuffs and smudges, all to