Artwork
Head of a Siren
Head of a Siren is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1609 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1609, *Head of a Siren* is a drawing by Hendrick Goltzius, a German‑born artist who worked in the Dutch Republic. Executed with black chalk and enhanced with white highlights on brown laid paper, the work presents a single mythological figure rendered in a compact, study‑like format.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a siren, a creature from classical mythology associated with alluring song and danger. Goltzius focuses on the head, emphasizing the intense expression and intricate hair, inviting contemplation of the tension between beauty and peril that the siren embodies.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employs a dense black chalk line to model volume, while selective white heightening creates contrast against the warm brown paper. The drawing reflects the Northern Mannerist taste for exaggerated anatomy and elegant pose, showcasing the artist’s command of line and chiaroscuro within a single‑sheet medium.
History & Provenance
The work originates from Goltzius’s early Baroque period, a time when he was establishing his reputation as the foremost Dutch engraver. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the drawing is documented in several catalogues of his oeuvre and is held in a European museum collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
