The artwork “Child’s Head” by Albrecht Dürer, a prominent artist of the Northern Renaissance, is a sketch and study belonging to the “Study on the ‘Great Crucifixion'” series. The genre of this piece is indicative of the intricate preparatory work that Dürer invested in his pieces, showcasing his mastery in capturing human features with precision and sensitivity.
The artwork itself is a delicate, yet detailed, sketch of a child’s head. The child’s gaze is directed slightly upwards and to the side, giving a sense of contemplation or wonder. The curls of the hair are rendered with meticulous attention to form and texture, displaying Dürer’s skillful use of line work. The soft shading around the cheeks and neck adds a three-dimensional quality to the drawing, suggesting volume and softness in the child’s features. Despite its simplicity as a study, the sketch emanates life and character, demonstrating the artist’s ability to convey the essence of his subject with a few well-placed strokes.
