Artwork
Saint John the Baptist
Saint John the Baptist is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Bronzino. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Borghese Collection.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, created around 1560, is a representation of Saint John the Baptist by Agnolo Bronzino, a prominent Florentine artist known for his refined technique and elongated figures.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a contemplative young John the Baptist, seated in a rocky landscape, wrapped in a blue cloth and fur cape, holding a bowl and staff, lost in thought as he gazes to the right.
Technique & Style
Bronzino's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the figure, characteristic of his Mannerist style, which emphasizes elegance and refinement.
History & Provenance
The painting is now part of the Galleria Borghese collection, having been created for an unknown patron, likely in Florence where Bronzino served as court painter to Cosimo I de' Medici.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Agnolo di Cosimo (Italian: ; 17 November 1503 – 23 November 1572), usually known as Bronzino (Italian: Il Bronzino ) or Agnolo Bronzino, was an Italian Mannerist painter from Florence.
