Head of an Aged Man

c. 1480/1490

Israhel van Meckenem

Associated Names
Israhel van Meckenem

Artist, German, c. 1445 - 1503

The image shows a detailed drawing of a man's head and shoulders. He is slightly turned to the right, with a three-quarter view of his face. The man has a long, flowing beard with curls, curly hair, and a large turban. His facial features include deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, and distinct cheekbones. The background is plain, emphasizing the intricate details of the man's hair, beard, and turban. There are no visible jewelry or objects. The bottom of the image contains ornate, stylized text.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.164

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Lehrs, Vol. 9, p.405, no. 515, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Julian Marshall [1836-1903], London (Lugt 1494); Alfred Morrison [1821-1897], London and Fonthill (Lugt 151); (Charles Sessler, Philadelphia); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1929; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1953

  • Nuremberg and the German World, 1460-1530: Prints and books from the Kress and Rosenwald Collections, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1953, no catalogue.

1967

  • Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., NGA, 1967-1968, no. 210, repro.

Bibliography

1908

  • Lehrs, Max. Geschichte und kritischer Katalog des deutschen, niederlandischen und franzosischen Kupferstichs im XV. Jahrhundert. 9 vols. and 1 plate vol. Vienna: Gesellschaft fur vervielfaltigende Kunst, 1908-1934.

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

1967

  • Shestack, Alan. Fifteenth Century Engravings of Northern Europe from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1967: no. 210.

Inscriptions

below image, in plate: Israhel van Meckenem Goltsmit

Wikidata ID

Q64958448

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