The Head of Christ

c. 1623

Guido Reni

Associated Names
Guido Reni

Artist, Bolognese, 1575 - 1642

The image shows a detailed pencil sketch of a person's head in profile, extending up to the neck and shoulders. The person is depicted in a thoughtful or contemplative position with their head gently bowed forward. The facial features reveal a concentrated expression, with a prominent nose and a slight shadow under the eyes, which are partially closed. The hair is shoulder-length and appears to be wavy. There is no visible clothing detailed in the sketch, and no jewelry or objects are apparent. The background of the image is simple, unadorned paper providing a neutral, textured backdrop that enhances the focus on the sketched figure.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

George John, 2nd Earl Spencer [1758-1834] (Lugt 1532), Althorp; (sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 December 1972, lot 34); Lorna Lowe, London; (Adolphe Stein, Paris); purchased by Ian Woodner, New York, 17 May 1973; by inheritance to his daughters, Andrea and Dian Woodner, New York, 1990.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1973

  • Master Drawings Presented by Adolphe Stein, H. Terry-Engell Gallery, London, 1973, no. 68.

1981

  • Guido Reni: Zeichnungen, Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna, 1981, no. 97.

1983

  • Master Drawings from the Woodner Collection, J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu and tour, 1983-85, no. 28.

1986

  • Dibujos de los siglos XIV al XX: Colección Woodner, Museo del Prado, Madrid, 1986-87, no. 37.

  • Meisterzeichnungen aus Sechs Jahrhunderten: Die Sammlung Ian Woodner, Haus der Kunst, Munich and Vienna, 1986, no. 29.

1987

  • Master Drawings: The Woodner Collection, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1987, no. 28.

1990

  • Master Drawings from the Woodner Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1990, no. 36.

1995

  • The Touch of the Artist: Master Drawings from the Woodner Collections, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1995-1996, no. 66.

2006

  • Master Drawings from the Woodner Collections, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2006 - 2007.

2017

  • The Woodner Collections: Master Drawings from Seven Centuries, NGA, 2017.

Bibliography

1983

  • Matteson, Lynn R. "Old Master Drawings from the Woodner Collection." Pantheon. XLI (1983): 386-87.

1984

  • Pepper, D. Stephen. Guido Reni: A Complete Catalogue of His Works with an Introductory Text. Oxford, 1984: 245, mentioned under no. 86 (drawing no. 2).

1995

  • The Touch of the Artist: Master Drawings from the Woodner Collections. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1995-1996: no. 66.

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: S+L / 75; by later hand, lower right verso in white pencil: WD / 457; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: WD 457

Wikidata ID

Q64572780

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