Saint John the Baptist

Innocenzo da Imola (Innocenzo Francucci)|Giuliano di Piero di Simone Bugiardini

early 16th century · Black and white chalk · Robert Lehman Collection

Innocenzo trained as a painter in Bologna with Francesco Francia then in Florence with Mariotto Albertinelli. After returning to Bologna in 1517, he executed paintings for churches there and in surrounding towns. In contrast to the formality of his painting style, his drawings—a small group of which survives—reveal a softer touch. In this sheet, no doubt a study for a painting, the artist determines the pose of the figure and observes the play of light across the torso, limbs, and drapery. Innocenzo’s gifts as a draftsman are evident in the rhythmic charcoal lines and lively white highlights.

Artist

Innocenzo da Imola (Innocenzo Francucci)|Giuliano di Piero di Simone Bugiardini

Date

early 16th century

Medium

Black and white chalk

Department

Robert Lehman Collection

Credit line

Robert Lehman Collection, 1975