John the Baptist baptizing people 1819

Orest Kiprensky captured John the Baptist baptizing people using traditional painting techniques of the 18th and 19th centuries. The monochrome palette offers a window into the artist's process. We can appreciate the qualities of line and form, particularly how the artist layers watercolor washes to create depth and shadow. Notice how Kiprensky uses the fluidity of the watercolor to give life to the figures and the landscape, evoking a sense of movement and spiritual awakening. In the making of this artwork, the artist engaged with long-standing traditions of religious painting. But also with the relatively recent availability of manufactured art supplies, which allowed for a newfound freedom of handling. Consider the labour involved; the artist's skilled hand brought the scene to life, but also relied on the often-overlooked work of those who processed raw materials into paint. By looking at the materials and methods employed by the artist, we can better understand the social and cultural contexts of the time, challenging any perceived boundaries between fine art and the work involved in its creation.