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Head of a Man in Profile

1490s
Not on view
This sheet is a significant example of the scientific study of perspective in the fifteenth century. It represents an exercise in foreshortening the human head, through which the profile could be used to construct alternative views. The horizontal lines – incised with a stylus - and the letters annotated around the ear served as coordinate points to produce such a transformation, while the pricked outlines aided in the replication of the profile. This diagram closely follows the method of foreshortening described in a treatise on perspective written by Signorelli’s master, Piero della Francesca.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head of a Man in Profile
  • Artist: Luca Signorelli (Luca d'Egidio di Luca di Ventura) (Italian, Cortona, active by 1470–died 1523 Cortona)
  • Date: 1490s
  • Medium: Black chalk, pen and brown ink, heightened with white.
  • Dimensions: 11 3/4 x 9 5/8 in. (29.9 x 24.4 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.420
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

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Madonna and Child, Luca Signorelli (Luca d'Egidio di Luca di Ventura) Italian, Oil and gold on wood
Madonna and Child
Luca Signorelli (Luca d'Egidio di Luca di Ventura)
ca. 1505–7
Approach to a Mountain Village with Horsemen on the Road, Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino) Italian, Pen and brown ink, traces of black chalk; mounted on an album page
Approach to a Mountain Village with Horsemen on the Road
Fra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino)
ca. 1501
The Martyrdom of Saint Paul, Taddeo Zuccaro Italian, Pen and brown and gray ink, brown wash, over black chalk, heightened with white, on buff paper.
The Martyrdom of Saint Paul
Taddeo Zuccaro
ca. 1557–58
Men Shoveling Chairs (Scupstoel), Vranke van der Stockt Netherlandish, Pen and brown ink over traces of black chalk.
Men Shoveling Chairs (Scupstoel)
Vranke van der Stockt
1444–50
Study for the Equestrian Monument to Francesco Sforza, Antonio Pollaiuolo Italian, Pen and brown ink, light and dark brown wash; outlines of the horse and rider pricked for transfer.
Study for the Equestrian Monument to Francesco Sforza
Antonio Pollaiuolo
early to mid 1480s

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