Artwork
Head of an Old Man
Head of an Old Man is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Q134489677. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
The work is an oil painting titled *Head of an Old Man*. Rendered in a darkened backdrop, the composition centers on the sitter’s face, which emerges from the surrounding gloom with pronounced contrast.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts an elderly male figure distinguished by a long white beard and hair, dressed in a green shirt. His gaze meets the viewer directly, while furrowed eyebrows and subtle wrinkles convey a sense of introspection and the passage of time.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, using strong light and shadow to model the facial features and give the image a three‑dimensional quality. The dark background isolates the illuminated face, emphasizing texture in the beard and the nuanced expression.
History & Provenance
The painting is catalogued under the identifier Q134489677 in the referenced database, though further details about its creation date, artist, or ownership history are not provided in the available information.
Artist & collection
Artist
This unknown artist painted Head of an Old Man in 1793, using oil on canvas. Their work belongs to the same era as the late 1700s, when portraiture focused on lifelike details rather than grand gestures. The painting…
