Head of Saint John the Baptist

15th century

Francesco Marmitta

Associated Names
Francesco Marmitta

Artist, Italian, died 1505 or before

The image depicts a close-up view of a person's face, focusing on the head and part of the neck. The individual is in a reclined position with their head tilted back and slightly to the side. Their eyes are closed, and their facial features include a nose, slightly open mouth, and a beard. The person's hair is long and wavy, partially visible on one side. The drawing is on a blue background with white highlights and shading to depict the facial features. There is no visible clothing or jewelry, and the background is a simple, textured blue space framing the person's face. The artwork has an aged look, with slightly worn or rounded corners.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    metalpoint heightened with white on blue paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mrs. Lessing J. Rosenwald

  • Dimensions

    overall (approximate): 8.1 x 9.3 cm (3 3/16 x 3 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1987.20.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

LJR (Lugt 1760b)

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1988

  • Italian Renaissance Drawings, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1988, no cat.

Bibliography

1988

  • Brown, D. "Maineri and Marmitta as Devotional Artists." Prospettiva, N.53-56, 4/88-1/89, 299-308..

Wikidata ID

Q64562402

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