Who painted Head of a Man?

Head of a Man was painted by Michelangelo in 1530.

Where can I see Head of a Man?

Head of a Man is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Head of a Man?

Head of a Man is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Head of a Man

Michelangelo , 1530

Head of a Man is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Head of a Man is a drawing created by Michelangelo around 1530, executed in red chalk with pen and black ink on laid paper.

Technique & Style

The drawing features loose, rapid red chalk lines, characteristic of a quick study or preparatory work. The simplicity of the face, defined by basic strokes, and the worn, yellowed paper suggest an informal, unfinished piece.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch depicts a man's head, with minimal detail, surrounded by Italian writing on the paper. The drawing's rough nature and lack of finish imply it may have been a practice or exploratory work.

Context

Michelangelo, a Florentine artist who worked primarily in Rome from his thirties, drew upon classical forms and antiquity for inspiration, reflecting his engagement with High Renaissance artistic ideals.

Artist & collection

Artist

Michelangelo

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), known mononymously as Michelangelo, was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance.