Head of a Young Woman Looking to Lower Right
Federico Barocci, 1565
About this artwork
Federico Barocci, a leading Italian artist of the late 16th century from Urbino, created *Head of a Young Woman to Lower Right* in1565 as a delicate chalk study. Working in the transitional style between High Renaissance and Mannerism,occi drew inspiration from masters like Raphael and Correg, infusing his works with a soft, luminous quality that anticipated Baroque naturalism. This intimate drawing captures the subtle tilt of a young woman's head, her gaze directed downward to the lower right, evoking quiet introspection. Executed in black, red, and yellow chalk on paper—measuring just 9 7/16 x 7 3/8 inches—this piece exemplifies Barocci's virtuoso technique in preparatory studies. Red chalk models the warm flesh tones and gentle contours of the face, black defines outlines and shadows, while yellow adds glowing highlights, creating a remarkable sense of volume and lifelike skin texture. Such multi-chalk drawings were prized in Renaissance workshops for refining compositions before painting, showcasing Barocci's sensitivity to light and emotion. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work highlights Barocci's reputation as one of the finest draftsmen of his era. Its focus on the female head reflects a Renaissance fascination with ideal beauty and expression, inviting viewers to ponder the model's inner world through Barocci's tender gaze.