Artwork
Roundel with Saint John The Baptist
Roundel with Saint John The Baptist is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This circular painting portrays Saint John the Baptist, identifiable by his traditional attributes.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a piece of religious art, it represents the saint, a pivotal figure in Christian theology known for baptizing Jesus and preaching repentance.
Created around 1500, this anonymous religious painting depicts John the Baptist as its sole subject. The work employs a roundel format, a circular composition often used for devotional images during the Renaissance. As a piece of religious art, it represents the saint, a pivotal figure in Christian theology known for baptizing Jesus and preaching repentance.
The depiction serves to identify the figure clearly for veneration or contemplation within a spiritual context, adhering to the iconographic traditions of portraying holy figures in isolation.
History & Provenance
The Roundel with Saint John the Baptist is dated to 1500 and attributed to an unidentified artist. No commission details or earlier ownership history are documented in the available records. The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the institution's holdings. No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources.
Overview
This circular painting portrays Saint John the Baptist, identifiable by his traditional attributes. The central figure, a bearded man in a white robe, is adorned with a yellow halo, signifying his sanctity. He cradles a small lamb in one arm while holding a tall cross in the other.
The background features a landscape with an ancient-looking castle and a church atop a grassy hill, suggesting a historical or spiritual setting.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a round format, the painting employs a restrained color palette, predominantly featuring muted grays and browns. This subdued scheme is punctuated by vibrant yellow accents, particularly visible in the saint's halo and parts of his robe, drawing attention to the sacred elements. The background, though distant, includes architectural details like the castle's towers and arched doorways, contributing to the overall composition and setting the scene.
Artist & collection
- Roundel with Saint John the Baptist
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Roundel with Saint John the Baptist and Donors
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