Bust of an Old Woman Wearing a Head Scarf c. 1625

Lagneau made this portrait of an old woman sometime around 1600 using chalk and pastel. These are simple, direct materials, more akin to sketching than to the high finish of an oil painting. The artist’s process is evident in every line. We see how the chalk is layered to build up the volume of the face, and how the pastel adds a touch of color to the cheeks. The wrinkles and folds of the skin are rendered with a delicate touch, revealing the effects of time and labor. In its day, this drawing would not have been considered a major work of art, but rather a study. The image is interesting precisely because it shows the artist at work, using modest means to capture the essence of human experience. It reminds us that even the simplest materials, when handled with skill and care, can be transformed into something quite profound.