Sketches of Heads c. 1565

Luca Cambiaso rendered this sketch of heads with pen and brown ink wash, a technique that allows for dynamic contrasts and expressive lines. The composition is dense; faces overlap and jostle for space, creating a sense of crowdedness. The stark contrast of light and shadow gives the figures a sculptural quality, emphasizing the contours of their faces. Cambiaso’s use of line is particularly striking. Quick, assured strokes define the forms, yet there is also a sense of incompleteness, as if these are fleeting impressions rather than finished portraits. This sketch exemplifies a Mannerist interest in exaggeration and distortion. The faces are not idealized but rather rendered with a raw, almost grotesque realism. The artist’s focus is on capturing the essence of human expression. This piece functions as both a study of human physiognomy and an exploration of the expressive potential of line and form. It invites us to consider how the artist manipulates these elements to convey both the physical and psychological dimensions of his subjects.