Who painted Saint John the Baptist?

Saint John the Baptist was painted by Matteo Rosselli in 1614.

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 Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint John the Baptist

Matteo Rosselli , 1614

Saint John the Baptist is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Matteo Rosselli. It dates from 1614 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Matteo Rosselli’s 1614 drawing, titled *Saint John the Baptist*, is executed in red chalk on laid paper. The work presents a solitary figure of the biblical prophet, rendered with a restrained compositional focus that contrasts with the artist’s more expansive historical paintings. It exemplifies a personal study rather than a large‑scale narrative piece.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays John the Baptist, a central figure in Christian tradition known for his role as a forerunner to Christ. Rosselli’s rendering emphasizes the saint’s austere presence, using minimal attributes to convey his identity and spiritual significance within a devotional context.

Technique & Style

Employing red chalk, Rosselli exploits the medium’s capacity for subtle tonal variation, building form through delicate hatching and line work. The laid paper surface contributes a textured backdrop that enhances the drawing’s tonal depth. The style reflects a transitional moment between Counter‑Mannerist restraint and the emerging dynamism of early Baroque.

History & Provenance

Created in Florence during Rosselli’s mature period, the drawing aligns with his activity in the late Counter‑Mannerist and early Baroque phases of Italian art. While the artist is chiefly remembered for grand historical canvases, this intimate work demonstrates his versatility in handling smaller, devotional subjects.

Artist & collection

Artist

Matteo Rosselli

Matteo Rosselli (10 August 1578 – 18 January 1650) was an Italian painter of the late Florentine Counter-Mannerism and early Baroque. He is best known however for his highly populated grand-manner historical paintings.