Artwork
St John the Baptist and St Anthony Abbot; reverse, Pietà
St John the Baptist and St Anthony Abbot; reverse, Pietà is an unspecified painting by Giovanni dal Ponte. It dates from 1421 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
This double-sided panel painting, created around 1421, features two distinct scenes: St John the Baptist and St Anthony Abbot on one side, and a Pietà on the reverse. The work is attributed to Giovanni dal Ponte, a Florentine painter active during the late-Gothic period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts two saints, Anthony the Great and John the Baptist, standing together. The figures are distinguished by their attire and attributes: Anthony wears a tan robe and black shawl, while John is dressed in pink and holds a flower.
Technique & Style
The use of contrasting colors creates a contemplative atmosphere, with the dark background highlighting the warm tones of the saints' robes. The overall effect is one of quiet reverence, characteristic of late-Gothic painting.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum. Giovanni dal Ponte, the artist, maintained a studio in Florence near the Piazza di Santo Stefano a Ponte, where he worked as a contemporary of Masaccio.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni dal Ponte (1385 – c. 1438 in Florence) was a Florentine minor master painter of the late-Gothic period, known as one of the greatest minor masters contemporary to Masaccio. He is known by Giorgio Vasari as dal…
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