Birth of St John the Baptist (c.1563) by Tintoretto

Birth of St John the Baptist - Tintoretto - c.1563

Artwork Information

TitleBirth of St John the Baptist
ArtistTintoretto
Datec.1563
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions270 x 204 cm
Art MovementMannerism (Late Renaissance)

About Birth of St John the Baptist

The artwork titled “Birth of St John the Baptist,” created by the renowned artist Tintoretto around 1563, is an oil painting on canvas that belongs to the Mannerism or Late Renaissance art movement. Measuring 270 by 204 cm, this religious painting captures the significant moment of St John the Baptist’s birth with profound detail and symbolic elements.

The composition of the artwork is rich in both color and narrative. Centered in the scene are various figures attending to the birth, portraying a mix of tender and diligent gestures as they care for the newborn. At the upper part of the painting, an ethereal light emanates, symbolizing the divine nature of the event, accentuated by the presence of angels descending from the heavens. The figures are adorned in period attire, and the meticulous attention to drapery and fabric textures exemplifies Tintoretto’s profound skill in capturing realism blended with the dynamic movement characteristic of the Mannerism style. The interplay of light and shadow, combined with the seemingly chaotic yet deliberate arrangement of figures, invites the viewer to delve into the sacred significance of this biblical moment, reflecting both the earthly reality and the heavenly intervention in the birth of St John the Baptist.

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