Who painted Saint John the Baptist?

Saint John the Baptist was painted by Jacques Callot in 1632.

Where can I see Saint John the Baptist?

Saint John the Baptist is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint John the Baptist?

Saint John the Baptist is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Saint John the Baptist

Jacques Callot , 1632

Saint John the Baptist is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Saint John the Baptist is a circa 1632 etching on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a prolific Baroque printmaker from the Duchy of Lorraine, known for his over 1,400 etchings spanning religious, military, and everyday subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the biblical figure of Saint John the Baptist in a religious genre, characteristic of Callot's practice of juxtaposing detailed figures with expansive, though here subdued, landscape elements.

Technique & Style

Executed with a needle (not paint), the etching showcases Callot's mastery of sharp lines to achieve textured, near three-dimensional effects, evident in the scraggly tree's leaves and bark.

History & Provenance

Created around 1632, the work's provenance is not detailed here, though it exemplifies Callot's prolific output during this period.

Context

This piece reflects Baroque printmaking's emphasis on detail and texture, with Callot's use of etching techniques to produce widely distributable religious imagery.