Saint John the Baptist

Maso di Banco's depiction of Saint John the Baptist, painted around 1325, reflects the Baptist's special importance as patron saint of Florence and one of the most frequently represented figures in Florentine art. As Giotto's most talented follower, Maso brought exceptional structural clarity and psychological presence to his sacred figures, making even conventional devotional subjects feel newly considered and intellectually engaged.

Painted in egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, the figure of the Baptist demonstrates Maso's characteristic sculptural modeling with firm contours and smoothly graduated tonal transitions. The geometric simplification of forms and cool palette create a monumental presence that transcends the panel's intimate scale.