1542
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Two Profile Studies of a Woman's Head is a 1542 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a woman’s head in two views: one facing forward, the other in profile. A grid overlays the front view, breaking her face into squares. The lines are sharp, with tiny cross-hatching marks to add shadows. The title at the top reads *"Eines Weibes Haupt"* (German for "A Woman’s Head"). The year 1542 is stamped in the corner, along with the artist’s initials. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this used metal plates to create detailed prints.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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