Saint John the Baptist praying in the Wilderness
Italian School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1500 - 1699
Materials
Oil on paper
Measurements
635 x 533 mm (25 x 21 in)
Place of origin
Italy
Order this imageCollection
Stourhead, Wiltshire
NT 730844
Summary
Oil painting on paper, Saint John the Baptist praying in the Wilderness, Italian School, 16th/17th century. A sketch in oils on paper representing the New Testament biblical story told in Luke's Gospel of the time spent by John the Baptist in the wilderness. Saint John sits on rocks in front of a tree, his right foot resting on a large boulder. He is partially draped around his loins and across his left shoulder. His reed cross rests between his legs and against his right shoulder. The Saint clasps his hands together in prayer and looks up and towards the left. He is bearded with shoulder length hair and his skin appears heavily tanned. A flat landscape with sparse vegetation can be seen in the background and the sky is coloured a deep blue.
Provenance
Acquired by Richard Colt Hoare 2nd Bt (1758 – 1838) and thence by descent. Given to the National Trust along with the house, its grounds, and the rest of contents by Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare, 6th Bt (1865 – 1947) in 1946.
Credit line
Stourhead, The Hoare Collection (The National Trust)
Makers and roles
Italian School, artist
References
Waagen 1854-7: Gustav Waagen, Treasures of Art in Great Britain, 3 vols. (translated by Lady Eastlake) with a supplementary volume: Galleries and Cabinets of Art in Great Britain, London, 1854-7, Vol. III, p.172