Head of an Old Man Facing Right c. 18th century

Curator: Immediately, the sharp, wiry lines evoke a sense of the subject's age and experience. Editor: Here we have Benigno Bossi's "Head of an Old Man Facing Right." Bossi, who lived from 1727 to 1792, captured this subject with striking detail. What do you make of it? Curator: The cross-hatching is particularly effective, creating depth and shadow that accentuates the man's features. The face is rendered masterfully. Editor: I'm struck by how the portrait humanizes aging—the wrinkles, the weight of time etched onto his face. It makes me think about social roles for older men. Curator: Indeed. The composition draws our eye to the man's gaze. The tonal range in this print is very compelling. Editor: It certainly invites considerations of social and personal history during that time period. Curator: Agreed. It’s a study of both form and persona. Editor: An engaging piece, prompting consideration of aging and its historical representation.