Head of a Bearded Man

Anonymous, Bohemian, 14th century

1360–80 · Pen and gray-brown ink, brush with gray-black and brown wash, traces of white gouache highlights. · Drawings and Prints

Few Medieval drawings survive. This very refined and unusually well-preserved study was probably created by an artist in the immediate circle of the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV (r. 1355-78) at Prague. The sheet was probably made as an exemplar in a modelbook rather than as a preliminary study for a specific work. The bearded man with an intent gaze and portraitlike presence evokes a biblical patriarch, prophet, or apostle. The meticulous artist delicately outlined the figure with a fine pen and added modelling with the tip of the brush. Although working on a relatively small scale, the artist achieved a stunningly sculptural conception of form.

Artist

Anonymous, Bohemian, 14th century

Date

1360–80

Medium

Pen and gray-brown ink, brush with gray-black and brown wash, traces of white gouache highlights.

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Purchase, Gift of Dr. Mortimer D. Sackler, Theresa Sackler and Family, 2003