Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness c. 1776

Joshua Reynolds painted Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness with oil on canvas. Reynolds lived during a time of great social change, as traditional hierarchies and social structures were being questioned. Here, Reynolds reimagines the iconic biblical figure as a child. This portrayal resonates with the 18th-century fascination with innocence and the natural state of humanity, reflecting Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophies. Yet there's also a tension: the sensuality of the boy's exposed skin contrasts sharply with the traditional religious symbolism. Notice how the gaze draws you in, creating a connection that transcends the canvas. It's an intimate portrayal, almost as if you're encountering John in a private moment of revelation. "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance," Reynolds once said, which is clearly at play here. The painting prompts us to reflect on how society constructs identity, particularly in relation to religious figures, and invites us to contemplate the emotional and personal dimensions of faith and self-discovery.