Artwork
Elf Kopfstudien und sechs Schädel
Elf Kopfstudien und sechs Schädel is an oil painting by Conrad Meyer. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Conrad Meyer, a Swiss artist active in the mid‑17th century, produced the oil painting *Elf Kopfstudien und sechs Schädel* around 1663. The work presents a study of eleven human heads and six skulls, arranged in a vertical composition that juxtaposes lifelike facial expressions with the starkness of bone. It is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas juxtaposes living heads with dismembered skulls, inviting reflection on mortality and the transience of human identity. The varied poses and expressions of the heads contrast with the uniformity of the skulls, underscoring a contemplation of life’s fleeting nature and the inevitability of death.
Technique & Style
Meyer employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows against illuminated forms to model the anatomy of each head and skull. The rendering is meticulous, with careful attention to bone structure, facial musculature, and subtle gestures, creating a three‑dimensional effect within the oil medium.
History & Provenance
After an early career focused on portraiture and landscape painting, Meyer shifted toward copper engraving, ultimately producing more than a thousand prints. *Elf Kopfstudien und sechs Schädel* remains in the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s representation of Swiss Baroque art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Conrad Meyer (1618 Zürich – 1689 Zürich) was a painter, engraver, and medallist of Zürich.
