St. John the Baptist

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St. John the Baptist
early 17th c.
Follower of Michelangelo Merisi, known as il Caravaggio

This Naples follower of Caravaggio painted John the Baptist sitting and meditating in the landscape. He is shown as a handsome young man with unruly hair, haircloth over his loins covered by a crimson cloak, crimson being the colour of his martyrdom. In his left hand is a reed cross with a scroll which reads Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God).