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The Birth and Naming of Saint John the Baptist

1450–60
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 956
This panel combines two episodes: the birth of Saint John the Baptist and his naming by his father, Zacharias, portrayed writing in the foreground. Behind him, framed by delicate colonnettes, is Elizabeth, the cousin of the Virgin Mary, who reclines in bed, having just given birth to Saint John. Although the original location of the present painting is unknown, and it cannot be associated with any other known panels, it is likely that it formed part of a predella that portrayed scenes of the Life of Saint John the Baptist. Sano di Pietro’s panel was inspired by Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s fresco depicting the Birth of the Virgin (façade of the Spedale della Scala).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Birth and Naming of Saint John the Baptist
  • Artist: Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio) (Italian, Siena 1405–1481 Siena)
  • Date: 1450–60
  • Medium: Tempera and gold on wood
  • Dimensions: Overall, with engaged (modern) frame: 9 5/8 × 18 7/8 in. (24.4 × 47.9 cm)
    painted surface: 8 1/8 × 16 7/8 in. (20.6 × 42.9 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.44
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

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Martyrdom of Saint Agatha in an Initial D, Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio) Italian, Tempera and gold on parchment
Martyrdom of Saint Agatha in an Initial D
Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio)
ca. 1470–73
Saint Bernardino, Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood (panel: 20 mm thick with vertical grain; cut along all four sides)
Saint Bernardino
Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio)
ca. 1460–70
Madonna and Child with Saints Jerome, Bernardino, John the Baptist, and Anthony of Padua and Two Angels, Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Madonna and Child with Saints Jerome, Bernardino, John the Baptist, and Anthony of Padua and Two Angels
Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio)
ca. 1465–70
Madonna and Child, Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Madonna and Child
Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio)
about 1450
Saint Francis, Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Saint Francis
Sano di Pietro (Ansano di Pietro di Mencio)
1450s

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