Who painted The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist?

The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist was painted by Master of Miraflores in 1490-01-01.

Where can I see The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist?

The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist?

The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist

Master of Miraflores , 1496

The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of Miraflores. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting’s religious genre reinforces its moral and didactic purpose, emphasizing themes of righteousness, persecution, and the cost of prophetic witness.

The painting depicts the biblical episode of the arrest of Saint John the Baptist, as described in the Gospels. The scene captures the moment when Herod Antipas orders John’s imprisonment, a pivotal event preceding his execution. Iconographically, the work includes figures clad in body armor and armed with swords and spears, signifying the military force sent to seize John. These elements underscore the violence and political tension surrounding the prophet’s condemnation.

Symbolically, the arrest represents the conflict between spiritual truth and earthly authority. John’s defiance of Herod’s marriage to Herodias, deemed unlawful, positions him as a martyr for divine law. The painting’s religious genre reinforces its moral and didactic purpose, emphasizing themes of righteousness, persecution, and the cost of prophetic witness.

History & Provenance

Created in 1490, The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist is a religious painting attributed to the Master of Miraflores. The work measures 94 cm in height and 53 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, having previously been part of the Museo de la Trinidad. The painting depicts the biblical scene including elements such as body armor, a sword, and a spear.

The painting is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Historically, the work was also associated with the Museo de la Trinidad. The provided sources do not contain specific inventory numbers, accession dates, or a record of exhibition history for this artwork.

Context

The Arrest of Saint John the Baptist reflects late 15th-century Spanish religious painting conventions, depicting figures in contemporary armor and weaponry within a devotional composition. Its inclusion in major institutional collections such as the Museo del Prado underscores its significance within the Master of Miraflores' oeuvre and early Spanish Renaissance art. Scholarly analysis situates the work within broader discussions of Iberian artistic identity and the stylistic evolution of narrative painting in pre-Reformation contexts.

Overview

Created in 1496, this religious canvas by the anonymous Master of Miraflores portrays the moment when John the Baptist is seized. The work is part of the collection at Madrid’s Museo del Prado and measures the tension between the captive figure in a vivid red robe and the surrounding armed men.

Technique & Style

The painter employs a smooth blending of tones reminiscent of the sfumato technique, allowing transitions between light and shadow to appear seamless. Metallic chainmail, spears, and helmets are rendered with delicate gradations, while the red garment of the saint stands out against the muted background, highlighting his importance.