Head of a Boy (verso)

Giulio Campagnola

1513

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Nude

About this work

This sketch shows a loose, flowing line drawing of a nude boy’s head and shoulders. The lines are light and wavy, almost like quick scribbles. The paper has a yellowish tone, and the ink looks soft, with some areas where the lines overlap. The drawing feels more like a study than a finished work—just a few strokes to capture the shape. It’s all about movement, not detail. Check out cross-hatching to see how artists build depth with layers of lines.