1472
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The Prophets: Obadiah is a 1472 by Baccio Baldini, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This etching shows an older man sitting on a stone ledge, holding a book in one hand and a scroll in the other. His robe drapes loosely, and his pointed hat has a feather or tuft on top. Above his head, a banner reads "ABIAS PROFETA," which likely means "Prophet Obadiah." The background has a few architectural details, like a window and a door, but the focus stays on him. The scroll and book suggest he’s a figure of wisdom or prophecy. The banner confirms this—it’s a title, not just decoration. The way the lines create light and shadow gives the image depth, even though it’s just black and white. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this technique works in other art.
Baccio Baldini (c. 1436 – buried 12 December 1487) was an Italian goldsmith and engraver of the Renaissance, active in his native Florence. All that is known of Baldini's life, apart from the date of his burial in…
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