St. John the Baptist 1763

Filippo Scandellari’s 1763 “St. John the Baptist” is a terracotta relief sculpture depicting the biblical figure standing in a landscape. The work demonstrates Scandellari’s skill in depicting the human form, particularly in the detail of the figure’s anatomy. John’s pose, with his arm outstretched and his gaze directed upward, conveys a sense of spiritual conviction. The presence of a small lamb at his feet is a symbolic reference to his role as a precursor to Christ. The sculpture, now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is an example of the Baroque artistic style with dramatic chiaroscuro highlighting the figure’s form.