Who painted The Birth of Saint John the Baptist?

The Birth of Saint John the Baptist was painted by Master of Miraflores in 1496.

Where can I see The Birth of Saint John the Baptist?

The Birth of Saint John the Baptist is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The Birth of Saint John the Baptist?

The Birth of Saint John the Baptist is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

The Birth of Saint John the Baptist

Master of Miraflores , 1496

The Birth of Saint John the Baptist is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of Miraflores. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1496, this panel painting by the anonymous Master of Miraflores portrays the nativity of Saint John the Baptist. The work is part of the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it is displayed among other late‑15th‑century Spanish religious pieces.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a modest interior where a woman in a dark gown and white veil rests on a bed, attended by several figures. To her right, a caretaker presents an infant, while another woman kneels nearby, emphasizing the communal nature of the birth and the sanctity attributed to John the future forerunner of Christ.

Technique & Style

The painter employs a restrained chiaroscuro, allowing light to fall gently on the central figures and recede into shadowed corners, creating a sense of depth and intimacy. The muted palette, careful modeling of drapery, and the tiled floor’s linear perspective reflect the transitional aesthetics of late Gothic Spain moving toward early Renaissance sensibilities.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the workshop of the Master of Miraflores, the painting remained in Spanish ecclesiastical settings before entering the national collection. It was acquired by the Museo del Prado in the 20th century, where it has been conserved and studied as an example of devotional art from the reign of the Catholic Monarchs.