Artwork
Saint John the Baptist Pointing to Christ
Saint John the Baptist Pointing to Christ is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo in 1655, the composition centers on the Baptist in his traditional role as the herald who identifies the Messiah.
The painting depicts the religious figures John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, consistent with its classification as a work of religious art. Created by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo in 1655, the composition centers on the Baptist in his traditional role as the herald who identifies the Messiah. While the title explicitly references the act of pointing toward Christ, the visual narrative serves to illustrate the theological connection between the two saints.
The work functions as a devotional object, emphasizing the moment of revelation where John the Baptist directs attention to the presence of Jesus.
Technique & Style
Created in 1655, Saint John the Baptist Pointing to Christ is an oil painting executed on canvas. The work measures 270.2 cm in height and 184.5 cm in width, reflecting the substantial scale typical of Murillo's religious commissions. As an oil painting, the medium allows for the soft modeling and atmospheric depth characteristic of the artist's Baroque style.
The piece falls within the genre of religious art, depicting the figures of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
History & Provenance
The painting Saint John the Baptist Pointing to Christ is dated 1655 by internal records, which establish the year of execution.
Its early provenance is not documented in the sources provided. The work entered the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains as of the latest record. No information is given regarding the original commission or subsequent ownership prior to the museum’s acquisition.
The painting Saint John the Baptist Pointing to Christ is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Created in 1655, the work remains part of the museum's permanent holdings. Specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available documentation.
The provided sources do not contain information regarding a specific exhibition history for this artwork. Consequently, no past or future display dates can be recorded based on the current evidence.
Overview
Created in 1655 by the Spanish Baroque artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, this oil painting presents a quiet outdoor encounter between two figures. One figure, identified as John the Baptist, gestures toward the other, representing Christ, while both stand bathed in a gentle, diffused light. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Context
Murillo, renowned for his devotional images and genre scenes of everyday life, produced this work during a period when Spanish artists were increasingly influenced by Italian Baroque aesthetics. The piece reflects the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on clear, emotionally resonant religious narratives intended to inspire devotion among viewers.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ( mure-IL-oh, m(y)uu-REE-oh, Spanish:; late December 1617, baptised 1 January 1618 – 3 April 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter.
- Saint John the Baptist
Saint John the Baptist
Saint John the Baptist
Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness
Saint John the Baptist
Ecce Agnus Dei
The Baptism of Christ
Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness
Calling of St. Matthew (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27-28)
Christ and the Tribute Money
La moneda del César
The Tribute Money