Study of a Head 1503 - 1513

This 16th-century drawing by Giovanni Gerolamo Savoldo, "Study of a Head," depicts a close-up view of a face, likely a male figure, in a state of repose. Created with charcoal on paper, the work showcases Savoldo's skilled use of light and shadow to model the contours of the head and capture a sense of depth and volume. The study's simplicity and focus on anatomical detail suggest its purpose as a preparatory drawing for a larger painting. Now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the artwork serves as a testament to Savoldo's artistic mastery of anatomy and his contribution to the Renaissance art movement.