Head of an Old Woman Looking to Lower Right (Saint Elizabeth) 1584 - 1586

Federico Barocci created this study of Saint Elizabeth with chalk and charcoal. The composition, dominated by warm earth tones and a soft, diffused light, draws our attention to the intimate details of the saint's face. Her gaze, directed towards the lower right, suggests a moment of reflection or quiet contemplation. Barocci's masterful use of chiaroscuro—the contrast between light and dark—not only models the form but also invites a deeper reading. The wrinkles and folds of skin are rendered with delicate precision. These aren't merely signs of aging, but rather the embodiment of wisdom and experience, challenging the conventional representations of saints as figures of idealized beauty. The semiotic weight of these details suggests a narrative of devotion. Note the texture. The drawing's tactile quality invites us to consider the materiality of the work itself. The way Barocci builds up layers of chalk and charcoal destabilizes the traditional notions of representation. It emphasizes the act of creation. This artistic choice acknowledges that meaning isn't fixed or inherent. Instead, it emerges from the interplay between the artist, the artwork, and the viewer.