Nanni di Bartolo, Donatello and Bernardo Ciuffagni, Saint John the Baptist

Information
Authors
Nanni di Bartolo, detto "il Rosso" - Donatello - Ciuffagni, Bernardo
Date
1415-1421
Material
White Carrara marble
Technique
Sculpture
Dimensions
Height: 208 cm; Width: 65 cm; Depth: 46,5 cm;
Material
White Carrara marble

This sculpture in white Carrara marble, worked in the round in larger-than-life dimensions, was originally placed in the first niche from the left on the west side of Giotto's Bell Tower. The figure was created in two phases: in 1415, Bernardo Ciuffagni and then Donatello and Nanni “il Rosso” di Bartolo had developed it as a prophet Joshua. Subsequently, Donatello and Nanni changed the personage to St John the Baptist: we see him as a handsome and beardless young man, with wavy hair and confident eyes, standing firm on legs planted wide, dressed in a tunic and cloak, but barefoot. His head is turned to the left, his hands extending a scroll along his right thigh, where we read “ECCE AGNUS DEI”: to the crowds below, he Forerunner of Christ announces the coming of the Lamb of God.

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