Artwork
St John the Baptist in the Prison
St John the Baptist in the Prison is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Juan Fernández Navarrete. It dates from 1567 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
St John the Baptist in the Prison is a 1567 oil painting by Spanish Mannerist artist Juan Fernández Navarrete, known as El Mudo. The work is now part of the collection at the State Hermitage Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a contemplative moment of John the Baptist during his imprisonment. Seated on a stone bench, the bearded prophet is shown with a bundle of reeds, symbolizing his role, amidst somber surroundings.
Technique & Style
Navarrete employed strong chiaroscuro, juxtaposing deep shadows with warm, bright highlights to achieve a three-dimensional effect on the figure's skin. This emphasizes emotional intensity, characteristic of Mannerism.
History & Provenance
Created in 1567 by El Mudo, a mute artist active in the late Renaissance, the painting's provenance culminates in its current location at the State Hermitage Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Juan Fernández Navarrete (1526 – 28 March 1579), or "de Navarrete", called El Mudo (The Mute), was a Spanish Mannerist painter, born at Logroño.
