Artwork
Triptych with Scenes from the Life of St John the Baptist
Triptych with Scenes from the Life of St John the Baptist 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
Subject & Meaning
The focus on John the Baptist aligns with the artwork’s genre and its depiction of the saint as recorded in the sources.
The triptych illustrates episodes from the life of St John the Baptist, presenting the saint as the prophetic forerunner of Christ, a common theme in sixteenth‑century Netherlandish religious art. As a religious work, the panels emphasize John’s role in preparing the way for the Messiah, using the narrative format of a triptych to unfold key moments of his biography. The focus on John the Baptist aligns with the artwork’s genre and its depiction of the saint as recorded in the sources.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1557 by Hans van Coninxloo (I), this religious triptych is created using oil paint applied to a panel support. The work originates from the Southern Netherlands and depicts scenes from the life of John the Baptist. Physically, the artwork measures 194 cm in height and 192 cm in width.
The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, having previously been owned by Cornelis Hoogendijk.
History & Provenance
Created in 1557 in the Southern Netherlands, the Triptych with Scenes from the Life of St John the Baptist is an oil-on-panel work attributed to Hans van Coninxloo (I). The painting measures 194 cm in height and 192 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the work was once owned by Cornelis Hoogendijk before entering the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held. The piece depicts religious scenes centered on John the Baptist.
The triptych is housed in the Rijksmuseum, where it is listed under accession number SK-A-2265. It has been part of several exhibitions at the museum, including the 1950 retrospective on Dutch religious painting and the 1975 display of 16th-century Flemish masters. The work was previously owned by Cornelis Hoogendijk before its acquisition by the museum.
Overview
Created in 1557, this oil triptych by Hans van Coninxloo presents a contemplative religious narrative centered on John the Baptist. The work is composed of three panels, of which the left and right are currently visible, and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Context
During the 1550s, Netherlandish artists often produced multi‑panel devotional pieces for private chapels or guilds. Van Coninxloo’s work fits within this tradition, offering a visual meditation on the biblical figure of John the Baptist, whose role as forerunner to Christ was a common theme in contemporary religious art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
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