Artwork

Ecce Agnus Dei

Ecce Agnus Dei, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, oil, 1655
Ecce Agnus Dei, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, oil, 1655

Ecce Agnus Dei is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Ecce Agnus Dei is one of four large canvases depicting the life of Saint John the Baptist, painted by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo in oil on canvas.

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows John the Baptist pointing to Jesus, represented as a lamb, accompanied by inscriptions from the gospels of John and Luke, symbolized by an eagle and winged bull. The scene highlights John's role in preparing the way for Christ.

Technique & Style

Murillo's work on this series marks a transition from the dramatic shading and hard edges of his earlier style, influenced by Francisco de Zurbarán, to softer, more vaporous effects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

Artist

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ( mure-IL-oh, m(y)uu-REE-oh, Spanish: ; late December 1617, baptised 1 January 1618 – 3 April 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter.