Head of a Prophet 18th c. Unknown Sculptor
The artist took ideas for his works from the Holy Scriptures and his experience. He created many religious images and sculptural compositions. A small image of the prophet’s head with a mournful expression on his face is masterfully performed by the expressive movements of the master’s chisel. A high forehead cut by wrinkles, sunken temples, pointy eyelids on large wide-open eyes, thickened slenderness of the nose with a characteristic furrow in the middle, and an expressive upper lip demonstrate the hand of a skilled sculptor. Beautifully performed, the tense line of brow ridges and graphic strands of a fluttering split beard convey extraordinary strength, energy, character, and the image’s tension. Like all works of the sculptor, the head of the prophet is full of vivid expression and dynamism, where medieval traditions, practice and individual approach are felt.
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