Head of Woman 1600 - 1700

"Head of Woman" is an anonymous drawing created sometime between 1600 and 1700. This pen-and-ink drawing, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, depicts the head and shoulders of a woman with long, flowing hair, wearing a head covering. The artist's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the intricate hatching that defines the woman's face, hair, and clothing. This drawing is a prime example of the emphasis on naturalistic portrayal prevalent in portraiture during the 17th century.