Head of a Bearded Man in Profile to the Right

Barocci was among the first artists to make extensive use of colored chalks in his drawings. He apparently created this model for the head of a shepherd in a Nativity of Christ executed by the painter Francesco Baldelli, a member of his studio. A faint base of red was applied for the general area of the neck; the face and the ear were then blocked in with red and pink, before passages were rubbed with smooth white chalk to give the impression of glowing skin illuminated by a strong light originating at the lower right. A crisp black chalk was used for the finishing touches. -- Exhibition Label, from "Drawn to Greatness: Master Drawings from the Thaw Collection"