Christ in the Wilderness
ca. 1515–20
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
18 x 21 3/4 in. (45.7 x 55.2 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1911
Accession Number
11.53
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the serene *Christ in the Wilderness*, painted around 1515–20 by Moretto da (Alessandro Bonvic), we encounter a tender vision from the High Renaissance in Northern Italy. This intimate oil on canvas, measuring just 18 x 21¾ inches, captures Christ seated amidst a harmonious gathering of wild animals—b, birds, deer,, and lions—flanked by gentle angels. Moretto, a Brescian master influenced by Venetian luminaries like Titian, employs the medium's rich glazes and subtle modeling to evoke a luminous, ethereal glow, drawing viewers into a meditative devotional scene. The composition draws from ...