Shop art print and framed art Saint John the Baptist by Leonardo da Vinci

Genesis of Leonardo da Vinci's Saint John the Baptist: an enigmatic and timeless masterpiece

Prepared between 1513 and 1516, the Saint John the Baptist is among the last pictorial works undertaken by Leonardo da Vinci during his so-called "Roman"period, before his death in 1519. Other versions of Saint John the Baptist attributed to pupils of the artist exist, but the 69 x 57 version kept at the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum is the only one that evokes with certainty the hand of Leonardo da Vinci himself. There has been no doubt about its attribution since the 1860s, when it was compared with a recently identified ancient text describing the figure's pose in particular.

This canvas, painted on a thick walnut board instead of canvas, reflects Leonardo da Vinci's growing interest in traditional techniques and religious subjects towards the end of his life. The choice of wood makes the work more durable, which partly explains its good state of preservation despite the passage of time. This late work bears witness to Leonardo's artistic maturity, but also to his ongoing interest in exploring human nature and spirituality. From the same period as The Virgin, The Child Jesus and Saint Anne or the famous Salvator Mundi, Leonardo da Vinci's Saint John the Baptist stands out as an emblematic feature of his late artistic production.

Description of Saint John the Baptist by Leonardo da Vinci

The Saint John the Baptist evokes a certain mystery that arouses the viewer's curiosity. The figure stands in a dark environment, inviting the observer to plunge into an intense atmosphere conducive to introspection. In this work, Leonardo da Vinci achieves a technical feat: thanks to a masterful play of chiaroscuro, he makes a luminous face emerge from the black background, captivating with its gentleness and serenity.

The Saint John the Baptist is depicted with his traditional attributes: a reed cross associated with the image of the crucifixion, and an animal skin on his left shoulder evoking the garment worn by hermits. His curly hair, falling loosely over his shoulders, and incipient beard contrast with the peaceful expression on his face. His right arm is raised to the sky and his hand points to an invisible presence. This pose refers to John the Baptist's prophetic mission and expresses divine revelation.

The gestures, enhanced by the careful work on cast shadows, give the subject a mystical dimension, while the light, subtly modelled by sfumato, a pictorial process consisting of melting colours into each other to soften contours and create an atmosphere of depth, illuminates the face and torso of John the Baptist, emphasising his androgynous beauty and spirituality. This delicate work on chiaroscuro and the nuances between light and shadow enabled Leonardo to subtly evoke the shapes and expressions of the figures, reinforcing the realism of the whole. All these elements create a work imbued with spirituality, inviting the viewer to meditate on the mystery of faith.

The enigmatic smile of Leonardo da Vinci's Saint John the Baptist

The painting's central subject, John the Baptist, is depicted with great psychological finesse. His expression, both gentle and mysterious, is dominated by an ambiguous smile, characteristic of Leonardo da Vinci's late works. In the Saint John the Baptist, this complexity is also rendered by the subtle lighting highlighting the play of expression in the eyes and mouth. This so-called "Leonardo smile" fascinates and intrigues, giving rise to multiple interpretations, and testifies to Leonardo's artistic freedom and his desire to encourage his audience to question human and divine nature.

Leonardo da Vinci's Saint John the Baptist: An indelible mark in art history

The Saint John the Baptist is considered to be one of Leonardo da Vinci's most accomplished works. It demonstrates his exceptional technical mastery, particularly in the rendering of light and material effects. The painting had a considerable influence on the art of the Renaissance and subsequent centuries. The enigmatic smile of John the Baptist, in particular, became an iconic motif, taken up and reinterpreted by numerous artists. It represents a magnificent climax to the artistic itinerary of this extraordinary artist, whose richness and depth continue to fascinate successive generations.

This artwork is a painting from the renaissance period. It belongs to the italian renaissance style.

« Saint John the Baptist » is kept at Louvre, Paris, France.

Find the full description of Saint John the Baptist by Leonardo da Vinci on Wikipedia.