The Baptism of Christ
An artist of international reputation, Ricci left Italy for England in 1711 or 1712. This fine oil sketch is for the now-lost decoration of a wall in the duke of Portland’s chapel at Bulstrode House in Buckinghamshire. In 1733 George Vertue praised Ricci’s work in the chapel: “The whole a noble, free invention [with] great force of lights and shade, with variety and freedom in the composition of the parts.”
Artwork Details
- Title: The Baptism of Christ
- Artist: Sebastiano Ricci (Italian, Belluno 1659–1734 Venice)
- Date: ca. 1713–14
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 26 x 40 in. (66 x 101.6 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers and Gwynne Andrews Funds, and Gift of Jane L. Melville, by exchange, 1981
- Object Number: 1981.186
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
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