St John the Baptist in glory 1650 - 1699

This anonymous drawing, "St John the Baptist in glory," depicts a scene of the biblical figure St. John the Baptist, in the heavens, surrounded by angels. Created sometime between 1650 and 1699, the work showcases the Baroque period's emphasis on dynamism, with St. John's body contorted in a theatrical pose. The composition is dominated by swirling clouds, suggesting the ascension of the Baptist, with angels holding a banner with the words "Ecce Agnus Dei" ("Behold the Lamb of God") adding to the devotional nature of the piece. This drawing, now housed in the Statens Museum for Kunst, demonstrates the artist's skill in depicting the human figure in a dramatic and emotive way.