John the Baptist and Two Men, with Christ 1770 - 1780

This pen and wash drawing by William Hamilton depicts a scene from the New Testament: the Baptism of Christ. The composition features John the Baptist standing with a staff, Christ kneeling in prayer, and two other men behind them. The artwork, which is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, showcases Hamilton's skill in capturing the movement and emotion of his subjects. The loose, gestural lines and subtle wash of brown ink convey a sense of intimacy and spirituality, typical of the artist's drawings.