Head of a Man 1636 - 1670

Sometime between 1550 and 1600, an artist in the Flemish region made this drawing, "Head of a Man," using black and red chalk on paper. The visible strokes of red and black chalk record the artist's movements, and the soft, grainy texture of the chalk gives the man’s face a feeling of depth and volume. The artist worked the chalk into the paper, layering it to build up shadows and highlights. It's an intimate process, demanding a close connection between the hand, the eye, and the material. Drawings like this one allowed artists to explore human emotion. But it also makes you wonder about the man portrayed. His furrowed brow and downcast eyes speak of hardship. Perhaps he was a farmer, a laborer, or simply a common man worn down by the challenges of daily life. The drawing invites us to consider the social context in which it was made, and the lives of those who were often overlooked in the grand narratives of history. Ultimately, the drawing becomes a powerful reminder of the human cost of labor and inequality.