muscular figure kneeling with head resting on a block; hands clasped in front of block

Saint John the Baptist Prepared for Decapitation, 17th century

Red chalkexpand_more

Bequest of Professor Alfred Moirexpand_more  2012.58.36

Not on Viewexpand_more

In this exquisite red chalk rendering of John the Baptist, the artist (thought to be Mattia Preti) presents a poignant and highly personal interpretation of the prophet's final moments before his murder by beheading. Above all, the drawing emphasizes the saint's humanity and vulnerability in the face of an unspeakably heinous act of violence.

Details
Title
Saint John the Baptist Prepared for Decapitation
Artist Life
1613 - 1699
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2012.58.36
Provenance
Sale, Sotheby's, Florence, November 14, 1978, no. 499, as Follower of Annibale Carracci, to 'd'Assia; Enrico d'Assia (Prince Heinrich von Hessen), Rome ('1978-95; his sale, Sotheby's, London, July 3, 1995, no. 9, as Italian school, for £2,587.75, to Moir; Alfred Moir, Santa Barbara (1995-d. 2010; bequeathed to MIA)
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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muscular figure kneeling with head resting on a block; hands clasped in front of block