Head of an Old Man Turned Three-Quarters Right c. 1529 - 1535

Editor: This is Domenico Beccafumi's "Head of an Old Man Turned Three-Quarters Right," and the medium seems so raw, almost like a quick study. The man looks tired, maybe even burdened. What do you see in this piece that I might be missing? Curator: Burdened is a fantastic word! It feels as though Beccafumi wasn't just capturing a likeness, but delving into the weight of years, wouldn't you agree? Notice the swirling, almost frenetic strokes around the head, as if the thoughts themselves are a storm. Perhaps it's a rumination on mortality, sketched with a sort of feverish intensity. What do you think? Editor: It really does change the feeling to think about it that way. I was focused on the man, but now the energy around him seems more important. Thanks for that. Curator: My pleasure. Sometimes, it's about feeling the artist's breath on the canvas, isn't it? It’s a dance between the observed and the felt.