São João Batista
c. 1748
Ercole Graziani the Younger captures the wild energy of the desert prophet in this dramatic Baroque sketch. Saint John the Baptist stands barefoot and rugged, gesturing passionately to a small group of listeners while clutching his signature reed cross. Notice the little lamb at his feet? That's the 'Agnus Dei,' a classic symbol pointing to Christ, whom John was famous for announcing. The loose, expressive brushstrokes give the scene a sense of movement and urgency, as if we've just stumbled upon a fiery sermon in the wilderness.
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