John the Baptist
1470 - 1497
Francesco Botticini—no relation to the more famous Sandro, though they shared a similar Florentine vibe—captures John the Baptist here acting as a heavenly tour guide. Pointing emphatically toward the sky and clutching a scroll, the saint stands barefoot in a sparse, rocky landscape, draped in heavy folds of red and green fabric over his traditional camel-hair tunic. The artwork bears the scars of time, with vertical cracks and worn paint revealing its age from the late 15th century. This piece is a great example of Renaissance style, blending spiritual intensity with a very human, grounded presence.