Studies of heads
by GHEYN, Jacob de II, Pen and brown ink, 100 x 158 mm
During his early years, Jacob de Gheyn followed the Sprangerian version of Late Mannerism. A major contribution to the process of developing his own style was the execution of his study drawings, which for the most part depict human figures and heads, on the same sheet in many cases, partly drawn after life and partly from memory.
The present sheet from the artist’s late period contains the depictions of five male heads, a cherub and a fortress.