The birth of Saint John the Baptist set within a classical building
ca 1531–76
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 11 1/4 x 17 3/8 in. (28.5 x 44.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1953
Accession Number
53.600.4231
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Birth of Saint John the Baptist Set within a Classical Building*, a engraving by Giulio Bonasone, with Antonio Salamanca as publisher, created around 1531–76. This Renaissance print depicts the biblical nativity of John the Baptist—Elizabeth's son and herald of Christ—in a grand architectural setting inspired by classical antiquity. Surrounding the central scene of the newborn's arrival are figures of men and women, evoking the joy and reverence of this miraculous event, as described in the Gospel of Luke. Engravings like this one were revolutionary in the 16th century, enabling a...
About the Artist
Antonio Salamanca|Giulio Bonasone ( |Italian (born Spain)) · |1478 – |1562
|Salamanca 1478–1562 Rome