Saint John the Baptist (or Christ) Preaching 1580 - 1600

This red chalk drawing of Saint John the Baptist, or possibly Christ, preaching, offers a glimpse into artistic practices of its time, even though the author remains unknown. Made in an era deeply shaped by religious belief, the image visually articulates the concepts of faith, sacrifice, and divine communication. The figure’s nudity is a direct reference to the classical ideal, recalling the importance of humanist thought during the Renaissance and underscoring its relationship with the church. The Art Institute of Chicago provides context for the drawing, but we need additional historical data to fully interpret the piece. Examining the drawing’s provenance, the institutional frameworks that shaped its preservation, and the broader socio-political context of its creation, we can fully appreciate its role as a cultural artifact.