Study of a Screaming Head (Damned Soul)
Drawing on paper • Michelangelo Buonarroti (or close follower/circle of)
Style & Movement
High Renaissance / Mannerism
Medium & Technique
Black chalk (possibly with white highlights) on prepared blue or grey paper; employing sfumato and cross-hatching to define musculature and volume.
Creation Period
Circa 1520-1530
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25 x 20 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A close-up study of a male head in an extreme state of agony or terror. The mouth is agape in a visceral scream, eyes rolled upward, and brow deeply furrowed. It represents the psychological and physical torment typical of the 'Damned Souls' (Anima Dannata) iconography.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good for its age; showing typical signs of oxidation, minor foxing, and surface abrasions consistent with 16th-century works on paper.
Estimated Market Value
$500,000 - $2,000,000 (dependent on level of expert consensus on autograph status)
Auction Estimate
$400,000 - $1,500,000
Provenance History
Likely part of a private European collection; drawings of this type were frequently used as 'presentation drawings' or studio references before entering aristocratic collections in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Art Historical Significance
Crucial study in the exploration of human emotion and physiognomy. This specific composition is highly influential, correlating with Michelangelo's famous 'Damned Soul' drawing in the Uffizi, which served as a prototype for Baroque expressions of horror.
Notable Features
The rendering of the tongue and the internal cavity of the mouth shows a masterful understanding of anatomy; the contrast between the soft sfumato of the skin and the sharp lines of the hair is characteristic of the period's highest draftsmanship.
Condition Issues
Visible vertical creasing, slight discoloration of the paper support, minor surface dirt, and some softening of the chalk lines due to historical handling.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be kept in a climate-controlled environment with strictly regulated UV exposure; mounting should use acid-free materials and reversible hinges.