The Baptism of Christ

Nicolás Enríquez

1773 · Oil on copper · The American Wing

In 1773 Nicolás Enríquez created this set of five paintings for the private devotional use of Juan Bautista Echeverría, a Spanish-born merchant. Echeverría’s choice of subject matter is highly personal, reflecting both his Basque roots and his extended residence in Mexico. Enríquez lavished special attention on this painting of Echeverría’s namesake, Saint John, who is shown baptizing Christ in the Jordan. The painter took care to detail the crystalline drops of water poured on Christ’s head and to show his feet submerged in the flowing water of the river. An inscription avows that the image was painted "due to the devotion" of its owner.

Artist

Nicolás Enríquez

Date

1773

Medium

Oil on copper

Culture

Mexican

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Purchase, Louis V. Bell, Harris Brisbane Dick, Fletcher, and Rogers Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest and several members of The Chairman's Council Gifts, 2014