Johannes de Doper 1500 - 1575

This is an engraving of John the Baptist, made by an anonymous artist. It depicts a biblical figure often associated with purity and prophecy, yet it also exists within a complex tapestry of cultural and gendered meanings. Note how John is rendered: his body is both revealed and concealed, a tension that reflects historical ambivalence toward the body and spirituality. Encapsulated in the wilderness, John is holding a staff with a cross. The classical artistic representation of John the Baptist often portrays a figure that is both sacred and sensuous. In a patriarchal society, spiritual authority has often been coded as masculine, and John's character embodies this intersection. This engraving invites us to reflect on the historical construction of religious figures, and the ways in which they continue to shape our understanding of identity, spirituality, and power.