Who painted Head of a Man?

Head of a Man was painted by Michelangelo in 1530.

Where can I see Head of a Man?

Head of a Man is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Head of a Man?

Head of a Man is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Head of a Man?

Museum-quality prints of Head of a Man are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Head of a Man

Michelangelo , 1530

Head of a Man is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:by later hand in brown ink, across center: la para [remainder not deciphered]; by later hand, lower right in brown ink: [long inscription, not deciphered]

About this work

Overview

Head of a Man is a drawing created by Michelangelo around 1530, executed in red chalk with pen and black ink on laid paper.

Technique & Style

The drawing features loose, rapid red chalk lines, characteristic of a quick study or preparatory work. The simplicity of the face, defined by basic strokes, and the worn, yellowed paper suggest an informal, unfinished piece.

Subject & Meaning

The sketch depicts a man's head, with minimal detail, surrounded by Italian writing on the paper. The drawing's rough nature and lack of finish imply it may have been a practice or exploratory work.

Context

Michelangelo, a Florentine artist who worked primarily in Rome from his thirties, drew upon classical forms and antiquity for inspiration, reflecting his engagement with High Renaissance artistic ideals.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Michelangelo

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), known mononymously as Michelangelo, was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance.