Attributed to Orazio Borgianni, Italian, c.1575-1616
Title: Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness
Date: 1610s
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
160 x 107 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 2003
Object Number: NGI.4724
ProvenancePrivate Collection, Rome (in the family for over a hundred years); purchased, Gallerie Antiquarie Benucci, Rome, 2003
Label TextSaint John the preacher, as told in the New Testament, retreated to the wilderness to pray. He is identifiable by his attributes: a reed cross and camel-skin garments. He appears to be trying to catch the viewer’s eye and draw their attention to the shadowy figure of Christ in the background. Borgianni, like many other artists at the time, was inspired by Caravaggio’s paintings. This is apparent in the naturalistic portrayal of Saint John, as well as in the theatrical contrast of light and shade.