Birth and Naming of John the Baptist
1201
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1201
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This medieval miniature painting on vellum depicts two scenes. The top scene shows a woman lying in bed, with a baby in a crib beside her. A woman sits on the right side of the bed, while a man stands on the left. The bottom scene features a group of men gathered around a man holding a book and a quill. The painting is rendered in muted colors, with intricate details and ornate borders. The scenes are set against a backdrop of geometric patterns and foliage. The style of the painting is characteristic of the Italian 13th century. To learn more about the techniques used in this painting, explore the art of chiaroscuro.
