Saint John the Baptist

Juan de Ancheta

ca. 1580–92 · Wood, polychromed and gilded · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Although incorporating classical, heroic elements of Michelangelo's figural style, this work displays the continuing Spanish taste for polychromy. Particularly lovely is the use of estofado in the landscape background. Dressed in animal skin like the Baptist by Martínez Montañés (63.40), here John points directly to the lamb of God, a symbol of Christ, resting on a volume of the gospel.

Artist

Juan de Ancheta

Date

ca. 1580–92

Medium

Wood, polychromed and gilded

Culture

Spanish, Navarre

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1968