Face of an Old Man with Eyes Closed n.d.

Pietro Dandini’s "Face of an Old Man with Eyes Closed" is a drawing held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Executed in pen and red and black chalk, the drawing focuses on the face, employing soft lines to convey a sense of serenity. Dandini masterfully uses the chalk to model the contours of the face, with the red chalk emphasizing the warmth of the skin and the black chalk adding depth to the shadows. The man’s closed eyes and relaxed features suggest a moment of introspection or peaceful rest, inviting the viewer to contemplate the inner life of the subject. The loose sketch-like quality destabilizes the traditional portrait conventions. This is a study rather than a finished portrait. The expressive use of line and tone, with careful attention to the texture of the paper, serves as both a formal exercise and a profound statement about the human condition. Ultimately, the artwork demonstrates the artist’s skill in capturing the essence of his subject through minimal yet effective means.