Study Head of a Bearded Man
1565
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1565
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
Study Head of a Bearded Man is a 1565 oil by Frans Floris, I, a mannerism work, held at Art Institute of Chicago.
You see a close-up of an older man with a thick, dark beard and intense eyes, lit from one side. He wears no hat, and his face stands out against a deep black background. A small, faint FFF mark in the corner is the artist’s signature. This painting was a practice piece, not meant for display. Frans Floris used it to study facial expressions and lighting, possibly preparing for a larger scene with figures like Hercules. These kinds of head studies helped artists plan dramatic moments in big paintings. His workshop in Antwerp was known for this kind of careful preparation. Look up chiaroscuro — it’s the technique of using strong light and dark contrasts to add drama and depth to faces and forms.
