St. John the Baptist is a 1620 oil painting by the Genoese Baroque master Bernardo Strozzi (c. 1581–1644), held in the Musei di Strada Nuova in Genoa. The work exemplifies Strozzi's powerful art, distinguished by its rich, glowing colour and broad, energetic brushstrokes, which made him a principal founder of the Baroque style in Venetian painting ^[1]. The painting measures 158 × 126 cm and dates from 1620, a period when Strozzi was establishing himself as a leading figure in the Genoese art scene ^[3].

Artist: Bernardo Strozzi, il Cappuccino and il Prete Genovese

Strozzi was born in Genoa around 1581 and trained initially in the workshop of Cesare Corte, a minor Genoese painter whose work reflected the late Mannerist style of Luca Cambiaso ^[1]. He subsequently joined the workshop of Pietro Sorri, an innovative Sienese painter residing in Genoa from 1596 to 1598, who is credited with leading Strozzi away from the artificial elegance of Cambiaso's late Mannerist style toward a greater naturalism ^[1]. Known by the nicknames il Cappuccino and il Prete Genovese, Strozzi worked as a painter and engraver, producing history, allegorical, genre, and portrait paintings as well as still lifes ^[1]. Born and initially mainly active in Genoa, he worked in Venice in the latter part of his career, where his work exercised considerable influence on artistic developments in both cities ^[1].

Technique: rich colour and energetic brushwork

The painting exemplifies Strozzi's mature style, which stands out for its rich and glowing colour and broad, energetic brushstrokes ^[1]. This technique, developed through his training with Sorri and his exposure to Venetian colourism, allowed Strozzi to create lifelike figures with a tactile, expressive surface quality ^[1]. His approach to oil painting combined the naturalism he absorbed from his Genoese training with the vibrant palette associated with the Venetian school, contributing to his reputation as a principal founder of the Baroque style in Venetian painting ^[1].

Iconography: the wilderness prophet

St. John the Baptist is depicted in a moment of reflection, his rugged appearance and the wilderness setting emphasizing his ascetic lifestyle and prophetic role in Christian theology. The iconography of St. John traditionally includes elements such as the lamb, symbolizing Christ, and the scroll, representing his prophetic messages. The wilderness setting reflects St. John's isolation and dedication to a life of contemplation and prophecy, reinforcing themes of sacrifice and spirituality central to his significance in Christian theology.

Provenance and collection: Musei di Strada Nuova

The painting is held in the collection of the Musei di Strada Nuova in Genoa, a museum complex that houses works from the city's major historic palaces ^[3]. The work dates from 1620, a period when Strozzi was active in Genoa before his later move to Venice ^[1][3].

Date	1620 [3]
Dimensions	158 × 126 cm [3]
Collection	Musei di Strada Nuova, Genoa [3]
Artist	Bernardo Strozzi (c. 1581–1644) [1][2]

Frequently asked questions

When was St. John the Baptist painted?

The painting dates from 1620, according to the Wikidata catalogue record ^[3]. This places it in Strozzi's Genoese period, before he moved to Venice in the latter part of his career ^[1].

Where is the painting located?

The work is held in the Musei di Strada Nuova in Genoa, Italy ^[3].

What are the painting's dimensions?

The painting measures 158 × 126 cm ^[3].