Head of a Peasant in Profile to the Left
Guercino
c. mid–1630s
Medium
Pen and brown ink and brush and brown wash on cream laid paper
Dimensions
28.9 × 21.1 cm (11 7/16 × 8 5/16 in.)
Classification
drawings (visual works)
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
249045
About the Artist
Guercino · 1591–1666
Son of a laborer who transported wood. He was called Guercino (squinter), because he was cross-eyed or had a squint in his right eye. Reputedly self-taught early, then an apprentice in the shop of Benedetto Gennari. Patrons included the papal legate at Ferrara and the Archbishop of Bologna. He developed a classical style later in his career. After the death of Guido Reni, Guercino was the leading ...