Who painted Saint John the Baptist Entering the Wilderness?

Saint John the Baptist Entering the Wilderness was painted by Giovanni di Paolo in 1458.

Where can I see Saint John the Baptist Entering the Wilderness?

Saint John the Baptist Entering the Wilderness is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Saint John the Baptist Entering the Wilderness?

Saint John the Baptist Entering the Wilderness is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint John the Baptist Entering the Wilderness

Giovanni di Paolo , 1458

Saint John the Baptist Entering the Wilderness is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Giovanni di Paolo. It dates from 1458 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

A young Saint John the Baptist is depicted stepping into a wilderness landscape, marked by a halo and staff, in this tempera painting on panel.

Subject & Meaning

The panel is part of a series illustrating the life of Saint John the Baptist, showing the saint's transition into a hermitic life in the wilderness, a precursor to his prophetic role.

Technique & Style

The artist, Giovanni di Paolo, employed tempera on panel to create vivid, stylized scenes, using bright colors and sharp lines to bring the wilderness to life.

History & Provenance

This painting is one of six surviving panels from a possible set of 12, potentially originally serving as doors for a reliquary shrine dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.

Artist & collection

Artist

Giovanni di Paolo

Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia was an Italian painter, working primarily in Siena, becoming a prolific painter and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts.