Large Grotesque Head
Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto) Spanish
Not on view
Famed for his treatment of grotesque subjects in painting, Ribera brought this vision to his printmaking as well. This etching from 1622 is one of only sixteen that can be attributed to the artist with certainty. He conceived this grotesque head, like his closely related etchings of eyes and ears, as exercises in physiognomy in the tradition of Leonardo. The faint traces of an eye (barely legible at the upper left side of the man's stocking cap) indicates that this print was produced from a reworked plate for the etching of eyes.
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