Head of a Bearded Man

Anonymous, Bohemian, 14th century Bohemian

Not on view

Few medieval drawings survive. This refined and unusually well-preserved study was probably created at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV (r. 1355–78) in Prague. It was likely made for a model book rather than as a preliminary study for a painting. The bearded man with an intent gaze and portrait-like presence evokes a biblical patriarch, prophet, or apostle. The meticulous artist delicately outlined the figure with a fine pen and added modeling with the tip of a brush. Although working on a relatively small scale, he achieved a stunningly sculptural conception of form.

Head of a Bearded Man, Anonymous, Bohemian, 14th century, Pen and gray-brown ink, brush and gray-black and brown wash, traces of white gouache highlights

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Head of a Bearded Man, Anonymous, Bohemian, 14th century, Pen and gray-brown ink, brush and gray-black and brown wash, traces of white gouache highlights
Head of a Bearded Man, Anonymous, Bohemian, 14th century, Pen and gray-brown ink, brush and gray-black and brown wash, traces of white gouache highlights

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