The Birth and Naming of Saint John the Baptist

Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio)

1450–60 · Tempera and gold on wood · Robert Lehman Collection

This panel combines two episodes: the birth of Saint John the Baptist and his naming by his father, Zacharias, portrayed writing in the foreground. Behind him, framed by delicate colonnettes, is Elizabeth, the cousin of the Virgin Mary, who reclines in bed, having just given birth to Saint John. Although the original location of the present painting is unknown, and it cannot be associated with any other known panels, it is likely that it formed part of a predella that portrayed scenes of the Life of Saint John the Baptist. Sano di Pietro’s panel was inspired by Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s fresco depicting the Birth of the Virgin (façade of the Spedale della Scala).

Artist

Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio)

Date

1450–60

Medium

Tempera and gold on wood

Department

Robert Lehman Collection

Credit line

Robert Lehman Collection, 1975