Head of a Man in Profile, Crowned with Laurel
Red-chalk study of an aged, powerful male head facing right beneath a laurel wreath
A red-chalk head, catalogued by the Biblioteca Reale as "Testa virile di profilo incoronata di alloro" (male head in profile crowned with laurel), shows an aged man in strict profile turned to the right. The features are of the powerful "warrior" type Leonardo favoured: a heavy brow, a strongly hooked nose, a jutting jaw and a full underlip, framed by thick curling hair and a wreath of laurel leaves. The study is carried down to the bare shoulders and chest, lightly modelled in chalk. A later ink inscription and number at the lower edge (not part of the drawing) are present but not transcribed here.
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Aged male head in profile
The face is drawn in pure profile to the right, its age and force conveyed through the deep brow, the aquiline nose, the set jaw and heavy lower lip. Red chalk models the flesh and the fall of the curling hair with soft gradations of tone.
Laurel wreath and bare shoulders
A wreath of laurel leaves rings the crown of the head, marking the sitter as a hero or worthy. Below, the study continues into the bare neck, shoulders and chest, lightly indicated to seat the head on the body.