Head of a Bishop
Artist: Gaetano Gandolfi (Italian, 1734–1802)
Original Dimensions: 18 3/8" x 14 7/8"
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
About Artwork: (ca. 1770) "In addition to altarpieces, ceiling decorations, and canvases with mythological subjects, Gandolfi painted bust-length images of men and women from various walks of life. Unlike formal portraits for paying clients, these character studies allowed the artist to explore diverse emotions, expressions, and facial types. This example’s exceptionally pristine condition preserves Gandolfi’s lively brushwork, which is particularly evident in the bishop’s beard and collar." - (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Panel content
Panel content