Two Views of a Horse's Head; the Head of a Bearded Man in Profile 1550 - 1600

This sheet features two studies of a horse's head alongside a bearded man in profile, rendered in pen and brown ink. The artist remains unknown. Given that the horse has long been associated with power, status, and masculinity, the inclusion of these studies alongside the head of a bearded man may reflect the values of the artist's society, or perhaps the artist's own ideals. It could speak to a world in which virility, strength, and reason were prized. Notice the contrast between the naturalistic depiction of the horse and the man, who seems more stylized or even abstracted. The absence of a known author invites us to consider the countless artists whose names and stories have been lost to history. It prompts us to reflect on the criteria we use to value and remember certain individuals and artworks, while overlooking others. The emotional impact of this piece resides, in part, in the intimate nature of a sketch, and in the mystery surrounding its creation.