Head of a Woman and Sketch of a Figure (?)

Art Historical Context

This delicate drawing, created by an anonymous German artist in the 16th century, captures a woman’s head in profile alongside a faint sketch of a figure. Rendered in red and black chalk on a small sheet measuring just over six by five inches, the work exemplifies the intimate scale of many Renaissance studies. Such drawings often served as preparatory exercises, allowing artists to explore facial expressions, lighting, and form before committing to larger paintings or prints. The combination of red and black chalk was especially favored in the period for its ability to create soft modeling a...