St. John The Baptist, Florentine Painter, 16th–17th Centuries
Artist: Peintre Florentin, Xvie-xviie Siècle
Florentine painter, 16th–17th century
St. John the Baptist
Oil on canvas
67 x 56 cm. – Framed: 98 x 83 cm.
Full details of the work (click HERE)
In bringing out the sculptural figure of this young Saint John the Baptist, bathed in a powerful and enveloping light, the artist seems to have drawn directly from the Gospel of John, which outlines the role of John the Baptist as a prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ:
““There came a man sent from God, whose name was John … to bear witness to the light. He was not the light, but he came to bear witness to the light.” (John 1:6–8)
Aware of this mission, the saint is depicted radiating a beam of light emanating from a gap in the clouds, clad in the traditional camel-skin garment and a bright red cloak; in one hand he holds the traditional staff made from two canes joined to form a cross, alluding to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
The work can be attributed to an artist active in Florence between the 16th and 17th centuries, where the artistic tradition has always devoted significant attention to this subject—the city’s patron saint and protector of various arts and crafts guilds.
Although his interpretation is highly personal, we can easily identify the sources of inspiration and, in particular, trace its origin to the school of Andrea del Sarto (Florence 1486–1530), drawing the most compelling parallels with the series of half-length portraits of saints by the painter.
Among these is the portrait of the young John the Baptist by Andrea del Sarto, now in the Worcester Art Museum (Massachusetts); but above all, with regard to the rendering of the facial and bodily features, we can draw a comparison with the Saint Sebastian, specifically the copy at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen in France (1).
(1) (Andrea del Sarto (follower) – Saint Sebastian holding two arrows and the palm of martyrdom (detail)
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen (Reference 06570005015)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrea_del_Sarto_(da)_-_Saint_Sebastian_holding_two_arrows_...
In this last painting, we see the beautiful head of the youth, his gaze fixed upward, framed by flowing curly hair, and his lean yet harmonious, almost ephebe-like nude form, with that posture that is both proud and effortless, evoking the image of Raphael’s David.
Although it is not easy to identify the hand of a specific artist within the master’s prolific school, the painting in question holds a prominent place due to its noble Florentine craftsmanship, evident in the confidence of the drawing, the mastery of anatomical structure, the plasticity of the figure, and the delicate, dreamy expression of the saint—all of which make it a highly interesting work.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
In good condition, complete with a gilded and lacquered frame.
The work is sold complete with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We arrange and organize the shipping of purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we would be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of works.
Please feel free to contact us, with no obligation, for any additional information.
Follow us on:
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
St. John the Baptist
Oil on canvas
67 x 56 cm. – Framed: 98 x 83 cm.
Full details of the work (click HERE)
In bringing out the sculptural figure of this young Saint John the Baptist, bathed in a powerful and enveloping light, the artist seems to have drawn directly from the Gospel of John, which outlines the role of John the Baptist as a prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ:
““There came a man sent from God, whose name was John … to bear witness to the light. He was not the light, but he came to bear witness to the light.” (John 1:6–8)
Aware of this mission, the saint is depicted radiating a beam of light emanating from a gap in the clouds, clad in the traditional camel-skin garment and a bright red cloak; in one hand he holds the traditional staff made from two canes joined to form a cross, alluding to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
The work can be attributed to an artist active in Florence between the 16th and 17th centuries, where the artistic tradition has always devoted significant attention to this subject—the city’s patron saint and protector of various arts and crafts guilds.
Although his interpretation is highly personal, we can easily identify the sources of inspiration and, in particular, trace its origin to the school of Andrea del Sarto (Florence 1486–1530), drawing the most compelling parallels with the series of half-length portraits of saints by the painter.
Among these is the portrait of the young John the Baptist by Andrea del Sarto, now in the Worcester Art Museum (Massachusetts); but above all, with regard to the rendering of the facial and bodily features, we can draw a comparison with the Saint Sebastian, specifically the copy at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen in France (1).
(1) (Andrea del Sarto (follower) – Saint Sebastian holding two arrows and the palm of martyrdom (detail)
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen (Reference 06570005015)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrea_del_Sarto_(da)_-_Saint_Sebastian_holding_two_arrows_...
In this last painting, we see the beautiful head of the youth, his gaze fixed upward, framed by flowing curly hair, and his lean yet harmonious, almost ephebe-like nude form, with that posture that is both proud and effortless, evoking the image of Raphael’s David.
Although it is not easy to identify the hand of a specific artist within the master’s prolific school, the painting in question holds a prominent place due to its noble Florentine craftsmanship, evident in the confidence of the drawing, the mastery of anatomical structure, the plasticity of the figure, and the delicate, dreamy expression of the saint—all of which make it a highly interesting work.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
In good condition, complete with a gilded and lacquered frame.
The work is sold complete with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We arrange and organize the shipping of purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we would be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of works.
Please feel free to contact us, with no obligation, for any additional information.
Follow us on:
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
7 900 €
Period: 16th century
Style: Renaissance, Louis 13th
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Oil painting
Width: encadré 82 cm.
Height: encadré 55 cm.
Reference (ID): 1785755
Availability: In stock
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