Image scanned from a transparency and color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Scenes from the Life of Saint John the Baptist

Artist Unknown

CultureSpanish

Datelate 1300s - early 1400s

MediumTempera on panel

Dimensions36 x 29 1/2 in. (91.4 x 74.9 cm)
Overall, Frame: 43 x 37 x 3 in. (109.2 x 94 x 7.6 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Irene Leache Memorial Foundation

Object number2014.3.1.2

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 201

DescriptionTempera on panel painting depicting four scenes from the life of Saint John the Baptist. The upper right quarter depicts an angel appearing to John, the lower left depicts the dance of Salome; lower right depicts St. John thrown into prison; and upper left depicts the angel appearing to Zacharias, who was St. John's father, to tell him that his wife will bear him a son. This is one of a pair of paintings from an altar frontal. This is the left side of the two panel display.

Label TextScenes from the Life of Saint John the Baptist, late 1300s–early 1400s Spanish (Catalonia) Tempera on wood Like a modern-day comic book, the story of Saint John the Baptist unfolds across a series of panels marking the highpoints of his life. It begins at the upper left with scenes from the lives of his parents, Zechariah and Elisabeth, and concludes on the lower right with his imprisonment, beheading, and burial. This direct presentation of discrete episodes is typical of early medieval narratives, which were designed to convey their storylines to the viewer as clearly as possibly. To ensure viewers could follow along, the names of its major figures—Jesus, Herod, and John—are inscribed above the scenes featuring them. Gift of the Irene Leache Memorial Foundation 2014.3.1.1–.2 ProvenanceGift of the Irene Leache Memorial Foundation to the Chrysler Museum of Art, March 2014.Exhibition HistoryLondon, Royal Academy, October 1933; Boston, Museum of Fine Arts, March 1940; Toledo Museum of Art; Hartford, Wadsworth Atheneum, March 1948. Published References"Museum Piece of the Week," February 4, 1957, The Virginian-Pilot.