Head of a Man c. 1625 - 1630

Guido Reni created this drawing titled 'Head of a Man' with chalk and sanguine. The drawing presents a study of a man's head and shoulders. The artist's technical skill in using line, shadow, and the limited colour range is evident, creating a captivating realism. The lines of the hair and beard are rendered with a dynamic, almost baroque energy, in contrast to the more softly modeled face. Reni's marks work within a structural framework that brings a sense of depth and volume to the figure. The use of sanguine adds warmth and dimension, enhancing the man's features. Reni uses a semiotic system to convey not just physical likeness but also emotional depth. The slight asymmetry in the man's expression destabilizes any fixed interpretation, inviting the viewer into a dialogue with the subject. This study encapsulates a moment of human presence, made permanent through the artist's skilled observation and mark making.