Head of an Old Man

In addition to preparatory studies by Pisanello for formal painted or medallic portraits, there exist drawings done from life as private exercises. Moreover, there are drawings what might be thought of as carefully worked-up physiognomic studies: independent portrait drawings in which the artist moves beyond the mere recording of outward appearance in order to suggest a mood or the character of the model. The present, finely executed drawing of an old man belongs to the latter group.