Saint-Jean-Baptiste by Bernardino Zenale - MG 1294

Bernardo Zenale painted this Saint John the Baptist around 1500 in Milan, a companion piece to the Saint Victor panel in the Museum of Grenoble. Zenale's treatment of the Baptist reflects the Lombard tradition of sculptural figure painting combined with careful spatial construction Altarpieces featuring rows of standing saints served both liturgical and devotional functions, identifying the church's patron saints and giving worshippers specific objects for personal prayer.

Oil on panel with Zenale's characteristic precision and monumental figure style. The Baptist's gaunt features and traditional attributes are rendered with the geometric clarity of the Milanese school.