Studies of four heads

This sheet, showing four models in different poses, is part of a group of head studies by Castillo dated by Benito Navarrete Prieto to the 1650s (see B. Navarrete Prieto, Antonio del Castillo [1616-1668]: Dibujos: Catálogo Razonado, Santander, 2008, nos. 116, 118, 120, 131, 133, 134, 136, 141). It is particularly close to the sheet in The Courtauld Institute of Arts, London (B. Navarrete Prieto, op. cit., no. 141) which is similar in size and composition and furthermore shows some of the same models and has the same type of signature in the centre of the sheet. The paper of the Courtauld drawing has the same fragmentary watermark and is laid on a similar blue mount indicating that the two drawings were once kept in the same album. Navarrete Prieto noted the similarities between the Courtauld drawing and an engraving by Frederick Bloemaert (1610-circa 1669) from the Tekenboek, pointing out that Castillo must have used it for inspiration for his drawn studies (B. Navarrete Prieto, op. cit., fig. 141.1).

We are grateful to Benito Navarrete Prieto for having confirmed the attribution to Castillo on the basis of a digital photograph and for his assistance in cataloguing this drawing.