# Study of Eleven Heads

**Jacques de Gheyn II** (Netherlandish, 1565–1629)  
late 16th–early 17th century  
Pen and three shades of brown ink with black chalk on laid paper; framing lines in pen and brown ink and graphite  
sheet: 12 1/2 x 9 3/16 in. (31.8 x 23.3 cm)

Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006.101. [The museum's record](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/371145).

## About this work

Jacques de Gheyn II drew this in the late 16th–early 17th century, aged about 10. It is now at The Met in New York.

### 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.
- **Graphite.** Pencil. Graphite has been used for drawing since the 1500s; in 1795 Nicolas-Jacques Conté mixed it with clay, so its hardness could be graded.
- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.

### [Jacques de Gheyn II](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/jacques-de-gheyn-ii)

Netherlandish, 1565–1629; born in Antwerp; died in The Hague

## Facts

- Type: Drawings
- The artist was about 10
- Real size: about 13 × 9 in (32 × 23 cm). The 11 × 14 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 16th century
- Subjects: Faces, Heads, Men
- 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/1050.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1050/1920.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
- 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
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- 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

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/study-of-eleven-heads-met-371145).