Studies of the Head of an Infant (after a three-dimensional model) 1572 - 1574

Poppi's Studies of the Head of an Infant, a drawing at the Met, presents us with multiple views of an infant's head, rendered in delicate lines and subtle shading. These repeated images, seemingly floating against the textured paper, create a sense of ethereal observation. Poppi's drawing engages with Mannerist conventions, which favored artifice and complexity. The careful arrangements of the heads across the surface can be interpreted as a study in form and perspective, reflecting a broader interest in the period in exploring the possibilities of visual representation. These shifting perspectives invite the viewer to consider the nature of representation itself. This piece destabilizes our understanding of classical harmony, favoring instead a composition that hints at infinity. The arrangement on the page emphasizes the act of artistic exploration rather than a fixed, idealized image. This formal quality encourages us to consider the drawing not just as a depiction of infancy, but as a meditation on the processes of seeing and knowing.