John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness 1510 - 1561

"John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness" is an etching by Battista Franco, created between 1510 and 1561. The artwork, held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts John the Baptist, a key figure in Christianity, in a dramatic pose as he preaches to a group of people in the wilderness. Franco’s meticulous rendering of John’s anatomy and the surrounding landscape highlights the artist’s mastery of the etching technique. This piece exemplifies Franco's contributions to the Italian Renaissance art movement, showcasing the period's emphasis on realism and detail.