Who created "Two Grotesque Heads"?

Two Grotesque Heads was created by Francesco Melzi after Leonardo da Vinci in 1510s?.

When was "Two Grotesque Heads" created?

This artwork was created 1510s?.

What medium is "Two Grotesque Heads"?

Two Grotesque Heads is pen and brown ink.

Is "Two Grotesque Heads" in the public domain?

Yes, Two Grotesque Heads is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Two Grotesque Heads

Francesco Melzi after Leonardo da Vinci

1510s?

Medium

pen and brown ink

Dimensions

overall (approximate): 4.5 x 9.9 cm (1 3/4 x 3 7/8 in.)

Classification

Drawing

Department

CG-E

Museum

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Edward Fowles

Accession Number

1980.63.1

Art Historical Context

In the intimate world of Renaissance drawings, *Two Grotesque Heads* stands out as a delicate pen and brown ink study attributed to Francesco Melzi, devoted pupil and heir of Leonardo da Vinci. Created in the 1510s(?), this tiny sheet—measuring just 4.5 x 9.9 cm—captures two exaggerated, fantastical faces inspired by Leonardo's fascination with human expression and caricature. Melzi, who inherited Leonardo's sketches after his master's death in 1519, meticulously copied such works, preserving the innovative spirit of High Renaissance draftsmanship. These "grotesque" heads draw from ancient Ro...

Two Grotesque Heads

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