Head of a Man Wearing a Helmet, Looking to Upper Left (recto); Two Sketches, Arms and Hands (verso) 1623 - 1690

Francesco di Maria’s “Head of a Man Wearing a Helmet, Looking to Upper Left (recto); Two Sketches, Arms and Hands (verso)” is a red chalk drawing dating from 1623-1690, the artist’s lifespan. The work, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a man’s profile, rendered in meticulous detail with a strong emphasis on the contours of the face. This drawing likely served as a study for a larger work, as it exhibits the refined skills of a master draftsman.