St John the Baptist Preaching c. 1540 - 1560

"St John the Baptist Preaching" is a 16th-century relief sculpture by Cornelis Floris, now located in the Rijksmuseum. The circular central panel depicts John the Baptist preaching to a crowd, surrounded by trees and foliage, while the rectangular frame is decorated with four cherub heads. The dynamic composition and expressive figures are characteristic of Floris's Mannerist style, influenced by Italian Renaissance art. This piece demonstrates Floris's mastery of three-dimensional form and his ability to capture the drama of a biblical narrative.