Head of an old man looking down, facing left, from "Small Studies of Heads in Oriental Headress" 1640 - 1655

This drawing, "Head of an old man looking down, facing left, from 'Small Studies of Heads in Oriental Headress'" by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, better known as Il Grechetto, is a masterful study in pen and ink. The detail of the lines, which are rendered in cross hatching, capture the depth of the old man's wrinkles and the rough texture of his hair. It was created sometime between 1640 and 1655, a period in which Castiglione was exploring new ways to create expressive and dynamic drawings. This piece can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, providing insight into the artistic process of a prolific artist.