Head of an Apostle

Hendrik Goltzius

Associated Names
Hendrick Goltzius

Artist, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

The image features the upper body and head of a man in a circular frame. The man is facing slightly to the side and downward, with his body oriented to the left and his head turned towards the viewer. He has a prominent forehead, a defined nose, a furrowed brow, and a scrunched face. His hair is thinning on top, with longer strands curling around the back and sides of his head. The man has a beard with similar curled texture as his hair. He is wearing a garment that drapes over his shoulders, with visible folds and a texture that suggests a substantial fabric. No jewelry or objects are in his hands, as they are not visible in this image. The background is plain with a light, sketchy look, focusing attention on the man as the central figure in the circular composition.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with brown and gray wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Andrew W. Mellon Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 12.4 cm (4 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1976.74.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Reznicek 1993, no. 68


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Sir Joshua Reynolds (Lugt 2364)

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1978

  • Master Drawings from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art and Promised Gifts, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1978, p. 30.

Bibliography

n.d.

  • Colnaghi, 7/6-8/6/76, 3.

1993

  • Reznicek, E.K.J. "Drawings by Hendrick Goltzius, Thirty Years Later: Supplement to the 1961 catalogue raisonné." Master Drawings XXXI (Autumn 1993): K 68, fig. 14, p. 228.

Wikidata ID

Q64573641

You may be interested in

Loading Results