1655
oil
canvas
From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum
St. John the Baptist with the Scribes and Pharisees is a 1655 oil by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, held at Fitzwilliam Museum.
This painting depicts a scene with four men and a sheep. The central figure, dressed in a brown robe with a red cloak, holds a staff and gestures with his hands. To his left, three men are engaged in conversation, each wearing distinct attire. One is clad in a black robe, another in a yellow robe, and the third in a blue robe with a pink turban. The background features a serene landscape with trees and a body of water. A notable detail is the sheep lying on the ground to the right of the central figure, adding a sense of tranquility to the scene. The overall atmosphere is one of contemplation and discussion. To learn more about the artist's use of light and shadow, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.
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.
See the richer artist page
