Head of the Executioner
1658
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1658
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Head of the Executioner is a 1658 ink by Prince Rupert of the Pfalz, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a close-up of a man’s head and shoulders, wrapped in a heavy cloak. His face is turned slightly away, showing one ear and a shadowed jaw. The cloak’s folds are thick and textured, almost like carved stone. The artist used a mix of shading and lines to create deep shadows and a gritty texture. This was done with a technique called mezzotint, which makes dark, moody prints. Next, check out technique: engraving, cross-hatching to see how artists build up shadows.
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