Head of an Old Woman Looking to Lower Right (Saint Elizabeth)
Federico Barocci, 1584–86
About this artwork
Federico Barocci, a masterful Italian painter from Urbino active during the late Renaissance, created this intimate *Head of an Old Woman to Lower Right (Saint)* around 1584–86. Likely a preparatory study for a larger religious composition, it captures the contemplative gaze of Saint Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, her wrinkled features conveying wisdom and quiet devotion. Barocci's work bridges Mannerism and early Baroque, Raphael's grace with Correggio's soft luminosity, and this piece exemplifies his fascination with expressive heads. Rendered in brush and oil paint on paper—a rare and innovative medium for drawings at the time—this 15⅜ × 10⅞-inch study allowed Barocci to experiment with color, texture, and three-dimensional modeling in a portable format. Unlike traditional chalk or ink sketches, the oil technique produced velvety skin tones and subtle shadows, making it a finished work in its own right, prized by collectors. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this gem reflects the Counter-Reformation era's emphasis on emotive religious imagery. Barocci, plagued by illness yet devout, infused his studies with profound humanity, inviting viewers to ponder the saint's inner life amid the spiritual fervor of 16th-century Italy.