# Head of Medusa

**Godfried Maes** (Flemish, 1649–1700)  
1680  
Pen and brown ink, with traces of black chalk, on cream laid paper  
24.5 × 18.1 cm (9 11/16 × 7 3/16 in.)

Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2018.59. [The museum's record](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/242705).

## About this work

Godfried Maes painted this in 1680, aged 31. It is now at the Art Institute of Chicago.

### What you’re looking at

A work made of pen and brown ink, with traces of black chalk, on cream laid paper.

_Description from the Art Institute of Chicago._

### How it was made

- **Chalk.** Natural black, red and white chalks. Used together on toned paper they could give the warmth of flesh with very little effort, and they were favourites for studies from life.
- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Godfried Maes](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/godfried-maes)

Flemish, 1649–1700

## Facts

- Type: Drawing and Watercolor
- Culture: Flanders
- The artist was 31
- Real size: about 9½ × 7 in (24 × 18 cm). The 8 × 10 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 17th century
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/370.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/370/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108; 30 × 40 in $148
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258; 30 × 40 in $338
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148; 24 × 36 in $178
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5; 30 × 40 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/head-of-medusa-aic-242705).