Saint John the Baptist Preaching

Mattia Preti (Il Cavalier Calabrese)

Created:
Movement:
1655
Baroque
key Notes:
Baroque dynamism, Dramatic chiaroscuro
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Dimensions:
68 x 47 3/4 in. (172.7 x 121.3 cm)
medium:
Oil on canvas
story of the work:

We have not been able to find much information about this work, or we believe the information we sourced needed more review.

Saint John the Baptist Preaching by Mattia Preti

Saint John the Baptist Preaching, created in 1655 by Mattia Preti, is an exemplary work of Baroque art, rendered in oil on canvas. Preti, known as "Il Cavalier Calabrese," was an Italian painter whose dramatic use of chiaroscuro and dynamic compositions were influenced by Caravaggio. This painting captures the fervor and intensity of Saint John's message, a common theme in Preti's religious works. Preti's ability to convey emotion and movement through his brushwork significantly contributed to the Baroque movement's emphasis on drama and realism. His works, including this painting, played a crucial role in the spread of Baroque art beyond Italy, particularly in Malta, where he spent a significant portion of his career. Preti's legacy is marked by his contributions to the decoration of the Co-Cathedral of St. John in Valletta, which remains a testament to his artistic prowess.

Description of the work:

Saint John the Baptist Preaching by Mattia Preti

Created in 1655, "Saint John the Baptist Preaching" by Mattia Preti is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the dramatic chiaroscuro and dynamic composition characteristic of the Baroque style. The artwork depicts the biblical figure of Saint John the Baptist, capturing the intensity of his sermon through expressive gestures and a vivid use of light and shadow.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Saint John the Baptist Preaching