Baptism of Christ
designed 1645–46, probably made 1650–55
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
62.5 × 46.8 × 33.4 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
European Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund
Accession Number
1965.471
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
About this artwork
When Innocent X (Giovanni Battista Pamphili, ruled 1644–55) became pope, Alessandro Algardi endeavored to obtain his patronage. This bronze Baptism of Christ is a casting from the molds used for an original silver sculpture that Algardi presented to the new pope to gain his support in 1646. The composition depicts an important scene in the life of Christ. On the right is John the Baptist, who pours water onto Jesus's head from a shell. As Christ bows his head to be baptized, a little angel holds...