Head of a Bearded Man in Profile to Left, possibly the Portrait of the Poet Giorgio Anselmi (ca. 1459-1528), with Faint Sketch of a Skull-like Head. Artist: Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) (Italian, Parma 1503-1540 Casalmaggiore). Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 9 1/16in. (13.9 x 23cm). Date: 1503-40.Portrait drawings by Parmigianino (other than self-portraits) are quite rare. The left half of this delicately drawn sheet is apparently a portrait of the Parmese statesman and humanist Giorgio Anselmi 'nepote' ('nephew'). Although Anselmi was celebrated in his day as a writer of odes and love poetry in the classical Latin tradition, he has all but been forgotten today. The inscription, which is certainly in Parmigianino's hand as the hue of the red chalk is exactly the same as in the drawings, may establish the poet's precise death date, 21 September 1530. The slight sketch of the skull on the right half of the sheet undoubtedly constitutes a 'memento mori,' and the inscription below