Head of an old man
Original title: Head of an old man
kurzbeschreibung
An old man's head, brought close to the viewer, fills this engraving by Giovanni Antonio da Brescia, made between about 1490 and 1525. The portrait is executed as a copperplate engraving, and all attention falls on the deeply lined face and its serious expression.
Description
Short, wavy hair frames the head of an old man whose forehead droops slightly. Wrinkles run across his face, and his gaze remains grave. A garment resembling a monk's habit reaches to his shoulders. The layout is centered, with the head and face as the focal point. The rendering stays monochrome, and light is distributed evenly, as is usual for a print.
Context
Giovanni Antonio da Brescia, an Italian engraver of the Renaissance, was active roughly between 1490 and 1525. His output consists mainly of reproductive engravings after designs by other artists, but also includes independent sheets such as this portrait. What the print was originally intended for is not recorded; it might have served as a study head or as part of a series.
Impact
Precise lines and the lifelike rendering of facial features give the portrait an immediacy and intensity. The serious expression and accuracy of detail create a calm, contemplative mood.
Technique
In engraving, lines are cut into a metal plate and then printed on paper. Sharp contours and fine hatching create a sculptural effect here and bring out the texture of skin and hair.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)