Head of a Man in Profile 1500 - 1600

This tiny drawing, Head of a Man in Profile, was made by an unknown artist with pen and brown ink on paper. Looking at the irregular octagonal shape and the brown paper, you get the impression that the artist was working with whatever scraps were available. The loose, sketchy lines suggest a mind at work, quickly capturing an image. It would be fascinating to know the social context surrounding this ephemeral sketch. Was the artist an apprentice, honing their craft in a busy workshop? Or was it a casual doodle by someone with time on their hands? Either way, this small drawing reminds us that every work of art begins with an act of labor. It blurs the boundary between high art and everyday life.