The Young Saint John the Baptist

The Young Saint John the Baptist

The Young Saint John the Baptist

Artist:Piero di Cosimo (Piero di Lorenzo di Piero d'Antonio) (Italian, Florence 1462–1522 Florence)
Date:ca. 1480–82
Medium:Tempera and oil on wood
Dimensions:11 1/2 x 9 1/4 in. (29.2 x 23.5 cm)
Classification:Paintings
Credit Line:The Bequest of Michael Dreicer, 1921

Saint John the Baptist is one of the patron saints of Florence, where representations of him as a youth enjoyed a special popularity in the fifteenth century. In its format and profile depiction of the saint, this picture resembles contemporary marble reliefs, but the soft modeling reflects Piero's awareness of Netherlandish painting.

Provenance
Bentivoglio, Florence; Reverend John Sanford, Casino Torrigiani, Florence, and London (about 1832–39; his sale, Christie's, London, March 9, 1839, no. 63, as by Pollaiuolo, to Yates); Charles Sackville Bale, London (by 1849–d. 1880; his estate sale, Christie's, London, May 14, 1881, no. 297, as by Pollaiuolo, for £178.10 to Colnaghi); [Martin Colnaghi, London, 1881]; Edouard Aynard, Lyons (1881–d. 1913; his estate sale, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, December 1–4, 1913, no. 60, as by Piero di Cosimo); [Galerie Trotti, Paris, from 1913]; Michael Dreicer, New York (until d. 1921)

Copyright Image
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