St. John the Baptist in the Wilderness 1547 - 1559

Battista Franco's "St. John the Baptist in the Wilderness" (1547-1559) is a detailed engraving that depicts the biblical figure of St. John in the wilderness, his muscular form lying against a large rock, his right hand resting on the rock's surface, and his left arm extended towards the viewer. The figure's body is rendered with great anatomical precision, a hallmark of the High Renaissance style, which Franco's art emulated. The work is a fine example of the artistic trend towards realism and the portrayal of human anatomy in the 16th century. This engraving is a powerful testament to the artist's skill and the lasting power of religious imagery.