Head of a Man Wearing a Cap
Circle of the Master of Santo Spirito
1488
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Circle of the Master of Santo Spirito
1488
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a man’s face in profile, turned slightly toward us. His cap sits low on his head, with a brim that curves up sharply. The lines of his hair and beard are loose and flowing, while his skin has a soft, shaded look. Notice how the artist used light strokes to build up the face—especially around the eyes and cheekbones. The brown ink feels sketchy, but the white highlights make the features pop. Next, check out how gouache works as a technique.
