Saint John the Baptist (c. 1480)

Dated c. 1480, "Saint John the Baptist" is an artwork by Jacopo del Sellaio. Context for c. 1480: In East Asia, the Ming dynasty in China and the Muromachi period in Japan continued their own long traditions of ink painting and calligraphy. The fifteenth century saw the early Renaissance in Italy and the rise of the early Netherlandish painters in the north, when oil paint, linear perspective, and close observation of nature reshaped European painting. Religion in brief: Christian art follows long-established iconography, such as the Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion. Religious painting is among the largest bodies of art ever made, from altarpieces, icons, and illuminated manuscripts to devotional prints. The catalogue places it in Religion. The format is portrait.

Buying "Saint John the Baptist" means getting a digital file, not a physical print: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI, delivered by email once payment is confirmed. A 300 DPI file is intended for printing at home or at a local print shop, where you can choose a matte, satin, or fine-art paper to suit the room. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Religious subjects rely on symbolism, gesture, and layered painterly drama, so they tend to read best in calm and composed interiors. A simple frame with a mat often helps an image settle comfortably into a room. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

Italian, 1441–1493

If you like the visual language of Jacopo del Sellaio, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.