Five Classical Heads

Inigo Jones, between 1630 and 1639

Download4000 × 1495 px View on a wall Edit

Artist: Inigo Jones (British, 1573–1652)
Medium: Pen and brown ink on medium, slightly textured, cream laid paper
Size: Sheet: 3 1/4 x 7 7/8 inches (8.3 x 20 cm)
Museum: Yale Center for British Art
Rights: CC0 — no rights reserved

Van Dyck is said to have praised Jones's draftsmanship, arguing his hand "was not to be equaled by whatsoever great masters in his time for boldness, softness, sweetness, and sureness of touch." By far the most common type of figure drawings from Jones are studies of multiple heads, often based on prints and drawings from his own collection. He especially admired the Italian Mannerist painters, such as Parmigianino (1503-1540). Here three graceful female heads to the left are contrasted with a bearded head of Mars and a terrible Fury.

Text: Yale Center for British Art.