Head of Saint John the Baptist

Marmitta employed metalpoint, a drawing method that uses a metal stylus to leave fine, permanent lines, then added white pigment to model light on the figure. The contrast between the stark white strokes and the saturated blue paper creates a luminous effect characteristic of early sixteenth‑century sketching practices.

Attributed to Francesco Marmitta, an Italian painter and jeweler active in Parma, the drawing is dated to 1401. Although Marmitta is better known for his metalwork, surviving drawings like this illustrate his proficiency in drawing. The piece is currently part of the collections of both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum.

During the early Renaissance, artists often produced devotional studies for personal use or as preparatory sketches for larger works. The use of blue paper and heightened white reflects a period interest in experimenting with color grounds to enhance the visibility of delicate metalpoint lines.