Who painted Saint John the Baptist?

Saint John the Baptist was painted by Balthasar Moncornet in 1634.

Where can I see Saint John the Baptist?

Saint John the Baptist is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint John the Baptist?

Saint John the Baptist is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Saint John the Baptist

Balthasar Moncornet , 1634

Saint John the Baptist is an ink print by the Baroque artist Balthasar Moncornet. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Balthasar Moncornet, a French artist active in the early seventeenth century, produced an engraving of Saint John the Baptist in 1634. Executed as a print, the work belongs to the religious genre and portrays the biblical prophet in a solitary, wilderness setting.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents John the Baptist clothed in coarse animal skins, holding a wooden staff, with a lamb at his feet—iconographic elements that identify him as the forerunner of Christ and emphasize his role as a hermit and preacher of repentance.

Technique & Style

Moncornet employs fine, sharply defined lines and extensive cross‑hatching to model form and generate tonal contrast. The engraving’s subdued palette of black ink on paper creates a quiet, contemplative atmosphere while rendering the textures of skin, wood, and fur with convincing realism.

History & Provenance

Created in 1634, the print reflects the conventions of French religious art of its period. Moncornet, known for portraits of notable contemporaries, applied his engraving skills to devotional subjects, contributing to the circulation of biblical imagery among a broader audience.

Context

In seventeenth‑century France, engravings served both devotional and instructional purposes, disseminating religious narratives beyond the reach of painted altarpieces. This work exemplifies how printmakers of the era used chiaroscuro techniques to convey spiritual themes within an accessible, reproducible format.

Artist & collection

Artist

Balthasar Moncornet

Balthasar Moncornet (1600, Rouen – 1668, Paris) was a French painter, engraver, and tapissier revered for his depictions of around 45 different prominent figures of the 17th century.