St. John the Baptist 1763

Filippo Scandellari created this terracotta relief of St. John the Baptist sometime in the 18th century. During this period, the Catholic Church was a dominant force in Europe, and religious art served to inspire faith and convey moral lessons. Here, we see John as a strong, virile figure, a break from earlier representations which often cast him as an emaciated ascetic. His body is both exposed and draped with cloth which draws a dialogue between vulnerability and dignity. A lamb rests at his feet which evokes the traditional symbol of innocence and sacrifice. Consider the power dynamics inherent in religious art. Artists like Scandellari were commissioned by wealthy patrons and religious institutions, influencing the narrative and controlling its dissemination. This version of St. John the Baptist maintains the traditional religious narrative while shaping the figure through a lens of idealized masculinity.