MICHELANGELO Buonarroti
(b. 1475, Caprese, d. 1564, Roma)

Head of a Satyr

1501-03
Pen in brown and gray-brown ink, 130 x 130 mm
British Museum, London

This male head with expressive facial features has been associated with the figure of Satan or a satyr.

The sheet was trimmed at the top edge in the shape of a half-oval and later restored to a square. Probably it was cut off at the bottom edge, thus it is possible that the figure was originally depicted in full length.