Head of a Man

Friedrich Overbeck spent most of his long life in Rome and remained faithful to his love of Italian Renaissance art. He was the spiritual leader and artistic mentor of the Nazarenes, as well as the group's finest draftsman.

In his diary he noted, "Draw from nature at all times with the utmost care and effort, as she will instruct you in everything. Seek the character of each thing, and then reproduce it faithfully and lovingly." Delicate and perceptive, this life study of a spiritual man with upturned eyes proves that Overbeck followed his own admonition.