Baptism of Christ n.d.

Rutilio Manetti made this oil on paper work, *Baptism of Christ*, in Italy some time in the early 17th century. It shows John the Baptist pouring water over Christ, with God the Father and a dove watching from above. As a painter in Siena, Manetti worked in a city with a deeply conservative artistic culture. Religious institutions commissioned much of the art in Siena, so artists like Manetti often had to follow traditional styles. Notice the theatrical drama and stark contrasts of light and shadow, it is likely Manetti was influenced by Caravaggio, whose style was popular at the time. But while Manetti borrows the visual style of newer trends, his composition remains traditional. The figures are clearly laid out, and their symbolic roles are emphasized. To understand Manetti’s work better, we can look at the social and institutional history of art in Siena. Investigating local archives would shed light on the religious orders for whom he worked, their artistic preferences, and his position in the community.