European Painting before 1900, Johnson Collection

Head of a Boy

c. 1492-93

Luca Signorelli, Italian (active central Italy), first documented 1470, died 1523

Oil on panel
10 9/16 x 8 1/16 inches (26.8 x 20.5 cm)

* Gallery 212, European Art 1100-1500, second floor

Cat. 138

Label

This is a rare surviving example of an informal working study by a Renaissance master. Executed on a hastily prepared scrap of irregularly shaped wood, it was quickly painted and in some parts, like the hair on the right, left unfinished. Paint marks on the back indicate that it was picked up before the paint dried. Because this study was made for the artist's own use, it was not framed; instead, it was simply hung, as here, by a cord passed through holes near the top edge.

The artist probably asked a studio apprentice to pose for this penetrating study of a figure deep in thought. The sketch may have been used as a model for a figure in a larger painting.