Artwork
Head of a Bearded Man Looking to Lower Left (Nicodemus)
Head of a Bearded Man Looking to Lower Left (Nicodemus) is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Federico Barocci. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a bearded man turning his gaze downward to the left, identified in the work’s title as Nicodemus, a figure from the New Testament who participated in the burial of Jesus. In Christian iconography, Nicodemus is often shown as an older man with a beard, and his presence here signals a devotional context centered on Christ’s Passion. The downward glance and introspective expression align with representations of Nicodemus at moments of quiet reflection or sorrow, underscoring themes of penitence and reverence.
The restrained palette and delicate modeling emphasize the figure’s spiritual gravity rather than narrative action, directing attention to inner contemplation and the sacred significance of the subject.
Technique & Style
3 cm in width, a modest scale consistent with an intimate character study rather than a finished altarpiece or large narrative canvas.
Federico Barocci's Head of a Bearded Man Looking to Lower Left (Nicodemus) is classified as a painting, executed in 1580 and held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work measures 38.7 cm in height by 27.3 cm in width, a modest scale consistent with an intimate character study rather than a finished altarpiece or large narrative canvas.
The composition isolates the sitter's head, directing the gaze downward and to the viewer's left, a device that concentrates attention on facial structure, the modeling of the beard, and the subtle play of light across the features. Such a tightly focused format is characteristic of Barocci's preparatory oil studies, in which he explored expression and tonal handling before incorporating the figure into a larger composition.
The sources confirm the medium as a painting and supply its dimensions, but they do not specify the support (panel or canvas), pigment, or current condition, so those technical details cannot be reported here.
History & Provenance
The work was painted by Federico Barocci around 1580, as indicated by the artist’s date on both institutional documentation and the Wikidata record.
It entered the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. Museum records list its dimensions as 38.7 cm in height and 27.3 cm in width.
The painting Head of a Bearded Man Looking to Lower Left (Nicodemus) is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created by Federico Barocci in 1580, the work is part of the museum's permanent holdings. The specific inventory or accession number for this piece is not provided in the available sources, though the museum location and date of creation are confirmed. There is no information in the provided sources regarding a specific exhibition history for this artwork.
Legacy
The painting has been part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection since its acquisition, where it is displayed as a notable example of late Renaissance portraiture. Its composition and expressive handling of facial detail have influenced studies of emotional nuance in early modern European art, though specific later artists citing direct inspiration are not documented in available records.
Overview
Created circa 1590 by the Italian painter Federico Barocci, this oil work portrays a solitary male figure with a bald head and dense beard. The composition is minimal, set against an unadorned background that isolates the sitter. Barocci’s placement of the gaze toward the lower left and the subtle illumination give the portrait a quiet, introspective tone.
Artist & collection
Artist
Federico Barocci (also written Barozzi) (c. 1535 – 30 September 1612) was an Italian Renaissance painter and printmaker. His original name was Federico Fiori, and he was nicknamed Il Baroccio. His work was highly…
