Seated Saint John the Baptist 1560 - 1570

This drawing of Saint John the Baptist, made with pen and brown ink and wash, invites contemplation of identity, authority, and religious narratives. The lack of attribution encourages us to think about the role of anonymity in artistic creation, and what it means for an image to circulate without a known author. John the Baptist, a pivotal figure in Christianity, is often depicted as an ascetic. Here, he's seated on clouds, a symbol of the divine, but his muscular physique and melancholic gaze present a more human figure. The traditional saintly narrative often emphasizes his separation from worldly desires, but his presence in the drawing suggests a re-imagining of religious icons as figures with depth and emotion. The artwork's emotional resonance lies in its capacity to inspire reflection about faith, humanity, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others.