Getty Museum
Saint John the Baptist
Creator
Luca di TommèItalian Artist · 1355–1389
All works by this person →Luca di Tommè headed a large, prolific workshop and was an influential contributor to the long legacy of Siena's celebrated artistic style, which flourished in the 1300s and 1400s. He was also active in Sienese government. Luca was probably trained by the Lorenzettis, owners of the most prominent workshop in Siena, whose work was distinguished by solid, three-dimensional forms and emotional depth.
More on Getty ULAN- Date
- late 14th century
- Medium
- Tempera and gold leaf on panel
- Culture
- Italian
- Department
- Paintings
- Institution
- Getty Museum
*Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh [away the sin of the world]*. These words, inscribed in Latin on the scroll held by Saint John the Baptist, highlight the saint’s role as Christ’s forerunner, who announced his coming to the world. Standing against a gold background and enclosed in a trefoil frame, the Baptist wears a hair shirt that represents his ascetic life of prayer, while his gesture alludes to his role as preacher. With carefully curved brushstrokes, Luca di Tommè described the woolly texture of the shirt and the unruly curliness of his hair and beard. Patterned punch marks form the decorative halo around the saint’s head. The Old Testament prophets Elijah and David, who also predicted the coming of the Messiah, occupy the spandrels, or upper corners, of the frame. This panel was once part of an altarpiece, possibly for a Vallombrosan monastery church in or near the artist’s native Siena.
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