Two Heads of an Old and a Young Woman Looking to the Left (Ages of Woman?)

Art Historical Context

In the quiet intimacy of a small graphite drawing, Frederick III, King of Denmark Norway (r. 1648–70), captures two female heads—an elderly woman and a youthful one—both gazing leftward. Titled *Two Heads of an Old a Young Woman Looking to Left (Ages of?)*, this 17th-century sketch from 1609–70 evokes timeless themes of life's stages, a motif echoing Renaissance allegories like the "Ages of Man." Measuring just 4¼ x 3⅛ inches, it's a delicate study on paper, framed by a later pen-and-brown-ink line possibly by the collector Zoller. Frederick III, better known for his absolutist rule and wars with Sweden, reveals a lesser-known facet as an amateur artist. His precise graphite lines demonstrate a ruler's refined eye for portraiture, influenced by the Northern European tradition of detailed figure studies. Such royal drawings were rare treasures, blending personal leisure with the era's fascination with human physiognomy and transience. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2007 through the Jean A. Bonna Gift, this work from the Drawings and Prints department highlights how even kings turned to art for introspection. It invites visitors to ponder the contrasts of youth and age, preserved in a monarch's hand.