Who painted Baptism of Christ?

Baptism of Christ was painted by Gentile da Fabriano in 1425.

Where can I see Baptism of Christ?

Baptism of Christ is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Baptism of Christ?

Baptism of Christ is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Baptism of Christ

Gentile da Fabriano , 1425

Baptism of Christ is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Gentile da Fabriano. It dates from 1425 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Gentile da Fabriano’s Baptism of Christ, executed around 1425, is an early‑Renaissance panel that presents the biblical moment of Jesus’s baptism. The composition centers on three figures—an angel, the infant Christ, and John the Baptist—set against a subdued landscape of trees and a river. The work is part of the Uffizi Gallery’s collection in Florence.

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates the New Testament episode in which John the Baptist immerses Jesus in the Jordan. The central figure, clothed in a simple white mantle, bears a halo that signals his divine status, while the angel on the left watches the rite, and John, holding a shell, gestures toward the water, emphasizing the sacramental nature of the scene.

Technique & Style

Gentile employs a muted palette of browns and beiges, creating a calm atmosphere through delicate modeling and soft chiaroscuro. The figures are rendered with graceful linearity typical of the International Gothic, yet the spatial arrangement hints at emerging Renaissance concerns for naturalistic landscape and atmospheric depth.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 15th century, the panel entered the Uffizi’s holdings during the museum’s formation in the 18th century, where it has remained on display. Its attribution to Gentile da Fabriano has been consistently affirmed by scholars based on stylistic analysis and documentary evidence linking the work to his Florentine period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Gentile da Fabriano

Gentile da Fabriano was a traveler who followed the money. Around 1420 he landed in Florence chasing richer patrons than his Umbrian hometown could offer. He liked gold leaf more than gold coins—his paintings shimmer…