Johannes der Täufer predigt in der Wüste c. 1600

This drawing by the Italian Mannerist artist Santi di Tito, dated around 1600, depicts John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness. The scene shows John standing on a mound, his arms outstretched as he addresses a crowd of people. Di Tito, known for his detailed and elegant drawings, captures the scene with a masterful use of line and shading. The drawing, likely a preparatory study for a larger painting, reveals the artist's process of composition and figure development. Now housed in the Städel Museum, this piece showcases di Tito's understanding of anatomy and perspective. His use of chiaroscuro to illuminate John and the surrounding figures highlights the drama of the biblical scene.