Saint John the Baptist. Mezzotint by V. Green, 1797 (?), after Raphael.

Date:
1792
Reference:
8640i
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Description

Saint John the Baptist was the son of Saint Elizabeth, a relative (Greek "syngenis") of the Virgin. He was therefore a relative of Jesus Christ. His father was Zacharias. He is often depicted wearing camel's hair; with a lamb, referring to his description of Christ as the "Lamb of God"; with a cross of reeds held sometimes by him and sometimes by the lamb; and pointing with his index finger, to indicate his role as annunciator of Christ. His martyrdom by decapitation led to his being invoked especially against diseases associated with the head, such as migraine, epilepsy ("le mal Saint-Jean") and quinsy

Publication/Creation

1792

Physical description

1 print

References note

Alfred Whitman, Valentine Green, London 1902, p. 169, no. 268 ("November 1, 1792. 268. St. John in the wilderness. After Raphael. The figure occupies almosl all the space, and is undraped; I. hand holding slender cross on ground, r. hand holding a small bowl; town in distance I. with high hill behind it. Initials 'C.T.' in centre of inscription space, surmounted by a crown. 23⅞ by 15⅞. From the Dusseldorf Gallery. With full engraved inscription. 'Published Novr, 1st: 1792 by V. & R. Green Newman Street, London.' B. M. Prices: Original price, 7s 6d, Green's catalogue of 1793, £1 1s"). The orientation of the present print appears to differ from Whitman's description

Reference

Wellcome Collection 8640i

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