Bust of an Old Woman Wearing a Head Scarf
1625
chalk
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Bust of an Old Woman Wearing a Head Scarf is a 1625 chalk by Lagneau, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows an older woman with a lined face and a hooded scarf draped over her head. The paper has a textured, off-white background, and the artist used soft black and brown chalk for shadows, with hints of red and yellow on her collar. Her expression is calm but serious, with deep wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. The sketch looks rough in places, like the artist was working fast. The chalk leaves streaks and smudges, giving it a lived-in feel. This style fits the time it was made—around 1625. Next, check out Baroque to see how this sketch fits into that bold, dramatic style.
