Study of a Head 1503 - 1513

Giovanni Gerolamo Savoldo created this chalk Study of a Head in the 16th century in Italy. The head is tilted back, eyes closed in what appears to be a moment of introspection or perhaps surrender. During the Renaissance, the male gaze dominated artistic representation, often objectifying its subjects, with the identity of the model and their emotional experience typically secondary to idealized beauty or allegorical meaning. Savoldo's study deviates from this norm through its vulnerable portrayal of the sitter. We might consider the quiet dignity of this work, particularly in contrast to the often grandiose and heroic depictions of men at the time. The choice of chalk, with its soft, yielding quality, further emphasizes the intimacy and transience of the moment. The study leaves us with an enduring impression of humanity, inviting a connection that transcends the boundaries of time.