Rhinoceros Portrait Charcoal Drawing Appraisal

Rhinoceros Portrait Charcoal Drawing

This item is an original charcoal drawing depicting the head and upper body of a rhinoceros. The drawing is rendered on what appears to be standard drawing paper, possibly in a light cream or off-white hue, and is affixed to a yellow backing or border, suggesting it might have been taped down or mounted for presentation. The primary medium is charcoal, utilized to create a range of tones from dark grays to lighter shades, exhibiting some blending and smudging characteristic of the medium. The rhinoceros's head is prominently featured in the upper right portion of the drawing, showcasing its distinctive large horn and textured skin. The eye of the animal is visible, depicted with subtle detailing. The background features a striking pattern of vertical stripes, creating a sense of depth and a contrasting texture to the animal's form. Below the rhinoceros's head, in the lower left, an abstracted, triangular or pyramidal shape is rendered with similar charcoal techniques, suggesting a mountain or a contrasting element. The overall composition shows good control over shading and form definition, particularly in the rhinoceros's features. There are visible smudges and potentially some reflective glare on the drawing surface, indicating either the nature of the charcoal or an overlying protective layer that is causing reflections. The piece demonstrates a decent level of artistic skill in rendering animal anatomy and creating a dynamic background. Given the 'Made by me' context, it is an amateur or student artwork, likely a contemporary piece. The paper itself shows slight yellowing along the edges where it meets the backing, and some minor creases or imperfections might be present in the paper, though not overtly visible as damage to the artwork itself. The size appears to be approximately that of a standard sheet of drawing paper, likely A4 or letter size.