Study of an old man Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

This is a charcoal or chalk drawing of an elderly mans head and shoulders, depicted in profile facing left. The rendering is highly detailed, emphasizing the signs of aging: prominent wrinkles around the eyes and on the forehead, a receding hairline revealing a bald head, and sagging jowls and neck. The artist has skillfully used light and shadow to model the form, giving the face a three-dimensional quality. The mans expression is difficult to discern definitively due to the profile view and the lack of detailed rendering of the eyes, but it appears somewhat weary or pensive.
The subtext of this drawing lies in its exploration of mortality and the passage of time, as symbolized by advanced age. Its a study of character, capturing the lived experience etched onto the mans features. Such studies were often made by artists to understand human anatomy and expression, serving as preparatory work for larger paintings or as independent explorations of the human condition. The raw, unvarnished portrayal suggests an interest in realism and the profound beauty found even in the physical decline associated with aging.