Head of Bearded Man (recto); Head of a Girl (verso)

Previously attributed to Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) Italian

1503–40

Not on view

As the late-seventeenth-century inscription "Fran.co Parmigiano" on the mount indicates, this study traditionally was believed to be by Francesco Mazzola, known as Parmigianino. It should be assigned instead to Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli and related to his painting of an unknown male sitter (private collection). Bedoli, who was Parmigianino's cousin and artistic successor, widely emulated his graphic style, so it is not surprising that there has been some confusion in the attribution of their respective drawings. Confidently executed in a mix of red and black chalk, this animated sketch differs from the painting in ways that suggest the study was made from life in preparation for the portrait. On the reverse of the sheet, the artist drew a more finished study of a female head, also in red and black chalk.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Head of Bearded Man (recto); Head of a Girl (verso)
Artist: Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli (Italian, Viadana ca. 1505–ca. 1570 Parma)
Artist: Previously attributed to Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) (Italian, Parma 1503–1540 Casalmaggiore)
Date: 1503–40
Medium: Red and black chalk (recto); red and black chalk, with pen and gray-brown ink (verso)
Dimensions: 5 3/4 x 4 7/16 in. (14.6 x 11.3 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906
Object Number: 06.1051.15
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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The Annunciation, Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli Italian, Oil on wood — The Annunciation
Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli

Standing Female Figure and Ornamental Framework, Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over traces of black chalk; squared in black chalk — Standing Female Figure and Ornamental Framework
Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli
ca. 1547–53

A Putto Seated on a Frame, Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with white gouache, over traces of leadpoint or black chalk — A Putto Seated on a Frame
Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli
ca. 1538–40

Lucretia, Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) Italian, Pen and brown ink over black chalk, partially incised with a stylus (recto); rubbed with black chalk for transfer (verso) — Lucretia
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)
1508–10

Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso), Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia) Italian, Pen and brown ink, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (recto); pen and brown ink, brush with touches of brown wash, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (verso) — Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso)
Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia)
1435–38

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