Study of the Head of a Youth Gazing Upward

Workshop of Perugino (Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci) Italian

Not on view

This study of a male head, seen from below in a foreshortening technique known in Italian as "di sotto in su" (meaning “from below, upward”), may have served as a preparatory study for a figure in a painting. The squaring of the sheet indicates that the figure was meant to be enlarged and transferred to a more elaborate composition. Similar types of upturned heads appear in numerous paintings by Perugino, his followers, and collaborators. It has been suggested that the drawing may be attributed to the young Luca Signorelli, who was a follower of Perugino and frequently produced heads of a similar physiognomic type and expressive quality. The facial features have been retouched with pen by a later hand, making them appear harsher than they were originally intended.

Study of the Head of a Youth Gazing Upward, Workshop of Perugino (Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci) (Italian, Città della Pieve, active by 1469–died 1523 Fontignano), Black chalk; Squared in black chalk; eyes, nose, ears, mouth retouched with pen and brown ink.

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Study of the Head of a Youth Gazing Upward, Workshop of Perugino (Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci) (Italian, Città della Pieve, active by 1469–died 1523 Fontignano), Black chalk; Squared in black chalk; eyes, nose, ears, mouth retouched with pen and brown ink.
Study of the Head of a Youth Gazing Upward, Workshop of Perugino (Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci) (Italian, Città della Pieve, active by 1469–died 1523 Fontignano), Black chalk; Squared in black chalk; eyes, nose, ears, mouth retouched with pen and brown ink.
Study of the Head of a Youth Gazing Upward, Workshop of Perugino (Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci) (Italian, Città della Pieve, active by 1469–died 1523 Fontignano), Black chalk; Squared in black chalk; eyes, nose, ears, mouth retouched with pen and brown ink.

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