Framed Charcoal and Pastel Portrait of a Man

This item is an original figurative portrait drawing, likely executed in charcoal, graphite, and light pastel or chalk on paper. The artwork depicts a three-quarter view of an elderly man with prominent features, including a high forehead, thinning hair, and deep-set eyes, conveying a somber or contemplative mood. The style is expressive and impressionistic, with visible, gestural strokes and a muted monochromatic palette consisting of varying shades of grey, charcoal, and off-white. There is an artist signature located at the bottom center of the drawing, which appears to read 'H. Bloch' or a similar variation. The work is professionally matted with a neutral-toned mat board featuring a distinct bevel and a thin gold-toned inner fillet. It is housed in a simple metallic or gilded wooden frame with a narrow profile. Regarding condition, the paper appears slightly buckled or wavy under the glass, which is common for works on paper of a certain age not professionally mounted. There is a noticeable glare on the protective glass from overhead lighting, making it difficult to assess fine surface details, but the drawing itself shows no obvious tears or foxing. The craftsmanship suggests a mid-20th-century origin, likely between 1940 and 1970, based on the modernist approach to the portraiture and the framing style.