Artwork
The Infant Saint John the Baptist
The Infant Saint John the Baptist is an oil painting by the Spanish Baroque Tenebrist artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's 1670 oil painting depicts the Child Saint John the Baptist as its sole subject.
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's 1670 oil painting depicts the Child Saint John the Baptist as its sole subject. Classified as a work of religious art, the image focuses entirely on the youthful figure of the saint, adhering to iconographic traditions that isolate him to emphasize his spiritual significance.
The work's history within the Spanish royal collection, having been owned by monarchs such as Charles III and Ferdinand VII, underscores its role as an object of devotional importance and royal patronage. By portraying the saint in his infancy, the painting represents the early life of the biblical figure who would later baptize Jesus, serving as a visual meditation on childhood piety and prophetic destiny.
Technique & Style
The Infant Saint John the Baptist is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. Created in 1670, the work measures 121 cm in height and 99 cm in width. As a religious painting, it depicts the Child Saint John, adhering to the artistic conventions of its genre. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
History & Provenance
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo created the oil-on-canvas painting The Infant Saint John the Baptist in 1670. The work depicts the Child Saint John and measures 121 cm in height by 99 cm in width. Historical records indicate the painting entered the Spanish royal collection, having been owned by Elisabeth Farnese, Charles III of Spain, and Ferdinand VII of Spain. It is currently held by the Museo del Prado in the Royal Palace of Madrid.
The work is held in the Museo del Prado, Madrid, accessioned as P00266.
It was recorded in the Spanish royal collection by 1789, where it appears under Charles III, and later in inventories of Ferdinand VII. It is listed among works formerly in the Royal Palace of Madrid, where the museum is located.
Overview
The Infant Saint John the Baptist is a 1670 oil painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, a Spanish Baroque artist. It is part of the Museo del Prado's collection.
Context
The work reflects Murillo's dual focus on religious subjects and everyday life, often capturing gentle, mundane moments with a sense of serenity.
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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.
