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This is a painting of a religious scene with two distinct panels. In the top panel, a figure is reclining in a bed, with a halo, while another haloed figure sits nearby, and a third figure tends to a cradle holding an infant. The bottom panel shows a seated figure writing in a book with an attentive audience of figures standing before him. The style resembles a medieval manuscript illumination, with vivid colors, gold accents, and intricate detailing on the garments and background. The painting uses an architectural framework motif to divide the two narrative scenes. The color palette includes deep reds, blues, and golds, and the background is patterned.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
Birth and Naming of John the Baptist
Italian 13th Century
- Date
- late 13th century
- Medium
- miniature on vellum
- Dimensions
- overall: 22.1 x 15.8 cm (8 11/16 x 6 1/4 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing · Miniature
- Accession number
- 1950.1.7
- Credit line
- Rosenwald Collection
- Time span
- before 1300
- Department
- CG-E
Portfolio and series
- Series
- Initial F from a Choir Book (Antiphonary?)
Subjects and terms
- Bolognese
- saints
- religious
- John the Baptist
- Abruzzi
NGA object ID 37043. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.