Artwork
An Elderly Man with a Flowing Beard
An Elderly Man with a Flowing Beard is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Spanish 17th Century. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a pen drawing on laid paper, executed in brown ink.
About this work
Overview
The work is a pen drawing on laid paper, executed in brown ink. It depicts an elderly figure distinguished by a long, flowing beard, rendered with careful line work that emphasizes the texture of the hair and the age of the sitter.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait focuses on an aged male subject, likely intended as a study of character and the passage of time. The emphasis on the beard suggests an interest in the visual markers of seniority, possibly reflecting cultural attitudes toward wisdom or experience.
Technique & Style
Using a fine pen and brown ink, the artist builds form through hatching and cross‑hatching, creating tonal variation on the laid paper’s textured surface. The drawing’s linear precision and subtle shading convey depth while maintaining a restrained, monochromatic palette.
History & Provenance
No specific information is available regarding the drawing’s creation date, artist, or ownership history. The work remains catalogued primarily by its medium and subject, with provenance details yet to be documented.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist worked in Spain in the early 1600s, making delicate pen and ink drawings.
