Small Oriental Head
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white drawing of a person’s head turned slightly to the side. The hair is wild and curly, drawn with quick, wavy lines. The face is simple—just a nose, mouth, and ear—but the hair takes up most of the space. The name "Castiglione Genovese" is written in the corner, which might be a hint about the person or the artist. The lines look loose and energetic, like they were made fast. Next, check out how the artist used etching.
