Counterproof of the head of an old man 1578 - 1650

Matteo Rosselli made this counterproof of an old man's head in the 17th century using graphite on paper. Counterproofs are like a mirror image of a drawing, made by pressing a fresh sheet of paper against the original. The graphite transfers, creating a reversed copy. The appeal of drawing lies in its immediacy. Unlike painting, drawing is a direct transfer of the artist's hand to the page. The most important quality of the drawing is the texture of the graphite, which can be manipulated to create a wide range of effects, from delicate lines to broad shading. By counter-proofing the drawing, Rosselli is repeating the original action of making, but at a remove. The resulting image is softer, hazier, less certain. The artist's interest is not in the precise reproduction of a likeness, but in the way that the subject's essence can be captured in the graphite and the making, the rubbing and pressing. This piece reminds us that art isn't just about the final image, but about the materials and the process that bring it to life.