Artwork

Johannes de Doper vermaant de Farizeeërs, middenpaneel van een drieluik

Johannes de Doper vermaant de Farizeeërs, middenpaneel van een drieluik is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans van Coninxloo. It dates from 1557 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The composition depicts Johannes de Doper presenting the Pharisees, forming the central panel of a triptych.

The work is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel. It measures 194 cm by 192 cm and was completed in 1557. The composition depicts Johannes de Doper presenting the Pharisees, forming the central panel of a triptych.

The artist employed traditional oil paint handling to render the figures and narrative scene with characteristic Northern Renaissance detail and naturalistic lighting.

Stylistically, the piece reflects the religious genre through its biblical subject matter and the meticulous rendering of textures and spatial depth typical of early Netherlandish painting. Its formal qualities include balanced composition, precise draftsmanship, and a restrained palette that emphasizes the narrative clarity expected in Counter-Reformation art.

The painting’s condition and material integrity have been preserved through careful handling and conservation, maintaining the structural stability of the panel support and the integrity of the oil medium.

History & Provenance

Hans van Coninxloo (I) created the middle panel titled Johannes de Doper vermaant de Farizeeërs in 1557 as an oil painting on panel. The work was made in the Southern Netherlands and entered the collection of Cornelis Hoogendijk before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display.

The painting measures 194 cm in height and 192 cm in width and is classified as a religious genre work. Its creation history is documented through archival records linking the artist, date, and initial ownership to the present custodial institution.

Overview

This oil painting, created in 1557 by Hans van Coninxloo, is the central panel of a triptych. It is a religious work currently held at the Rijksmuseum.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts John the Baptist, dressed in a red robe, addressing a group of Pharisees outdoors near a tree and ancient ruins. The surrounding figures wear varied attire, indicating their different social or religious affiliations.