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Saint John the Baptist sits on a stone ledge, his attribute of a reed cross leaning against his shoulder. John was a hermit and prophet who lived in the wilderness, baptising people in the river Jordan and preaching repentance of sins. The scroll in his right hand bears a Latin inscription: ECCE AGNUS DEI (‘Behold the Lamb of God’). These are the words the saint spoke when he baptised Christ and recognised him as the Messiah. This painting was part of the upper tier of a large, multi-panelled altarpiece made for the oratory of S. Pietro in Vincoli, Faenza, other parts of which are also in the National Gallery’s collection. The Virgin and Child appeared enthroned at the centre of the altarpiece; Saint John would originally have been looking at and gesturing to the infant Christ.
Title
Saint John the Baptist
Date
1505
Medium
Oil on canvas
Measurements
H 55.2 x W 57.1 cm
Accession number
NG629.5
Acquisition method
Bought, 1859
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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