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The image shows two central figures, one standing on a raised surface on the right with a staff and a vessel pouring water over the head of the other figure. The figure being baptized has long hair falling to their shoulders and serene facial features, with arms bent and hands clasped at the chest, wearing minimal clothing. The baptizing figure has a beard and detailed facial features, wearing a draped garment. Around them is a larger halo. On the left, a group of angels is present, with two angels kneeling, characterized by soft facial features and wings folded behind them, wearing draped robes. Above the central figure, a dove hovers with radiant lines spreading outward. The background has dark, crosshatched patterns for depth and an arched motif above, with the ground below resembling agitated waters. The image is framed, suggesting age or historical significance.
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The image shows two central figures, one standing on a raised surface on the right with a staff and a vessel pouring water over the head of the other figure. The figure being baptized has long hair falling to their shoulders and serene facial features, with arms bent and hands clasped at the chest, wearing minimal clothing. The baptizing figure has a beard and detailed facial features, wearing a draped garment. Around them is a larger halo. On the left, a group of angels is present, with two angels kneeling, characterized by soft facial features and wings folded behind them, wearing draped robes. Above the central figure, a dove hovers with radiant lines spreading outward. The background has dark, crosshatched patterns for depth and an arched motif above, with the ground below resembling agitated waters. The image is framed, suggesting age or historical significance.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Baptism of Christ

Italian 16th Century or Italian 18th or 19th Century

Date
early 16th century or later
Medium
nielloed silver
Dimensions
overall: 5.6 × 4.6 cm (2 3/16 × 1 13/16 in.) engraved composition: 5.3 × 4 cm (2 1/16 × 1 9/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture · Niello Plate
Accession number
1961.9.146
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • religious
  • Renaissance
  • Angels
  • Baptism of Christ
  • niello
Provenance

Trivulzio Collection, Milan, by 1874 until after 1917;[1] (Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, 1878-1955, Rome and Florence);[2] purchased 26 June 1935 by Samuel H. Kress (1863-1955), New York; gift 27 September 1950 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[3] gift 1961 to NGA. [1] Laura Aldovini, _I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo,_ Milan, 2021:232. [2] The bill of sale included sculptures, maiolicas, furniture, antique velvets, paintings, and enamels, for a total of one hundred objects. Copy in NGA curatorial files. See also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, (https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/acquisitions/ACQ143). [3] An affidavit of 21 August 1956 by Herbert L. Spencer, executive director, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, states the Trivulzio collection of nielli and enamels were given by Samuel H. Kress to the Foundation on 27 September 1950; original in National Gallery of Art Archives. Secretary and General Counsel Records – Major Donor Files; copy in NGA curatorial files.

NGA object ID 46245. 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.