Artwork
Saint John the Baptist
Saint John the Baptist is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Alessandro Allori. It dates from 1570 and is held in the collection of the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, created in 1570 by Alessandro Allori, is a representation of Saint John the Baptist. It is held in the collection of Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Saint John the Baptist in the wilderness, characterized by his fur loincloth and staff, symbolizing his ascetic life. He holds a bowl in one hand and a staff with a cross-like element in the other, referencing his role as a precursor to Christ.
Technique & Style
Allori's work blends the High Renaissance tradition with the elongated figures and refined palette of Florentine Mannerism, evident in the detailed rendering and textured brushstrokes. The artist's use of oil paint allows for rich, nuanced color and visible texture.
History & Provenance
Alessandro Allori, trained under Agnolo Bronzino, was a prominent figure in Florence's late Mannerist movement. His work is now part of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum's collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alessandro di Cristofano di Lorenzo del Bronzino Allori (Florence, 31 May 1535 – 22 September 1607) was an Italian painter of the late Mannerist Florentine school.
