Saint John the Baptist. Engraving by J. Landseer, 1796, after B. West.

  • West, Benjamin, 1738-1820.
Date:
May 28th 1796
Reference:
6232i
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About this work

Description

Saint John the Baptist was the son of Saint Elizabeth, a relative (Greek "syngenis") of the Virgin. He was therefore a relative of Jesus Christ. His father was Zacharias. He is often depicted wearing camel's hair; with a lamb, referring to his description of Christ as the "Lamb of God"; with a cross of reeds held sometimes by him and sometimes by the lamb; and pointing with his index finger, to indicate his role as annunciator of Christ. His martyrdom by decapitation led to his being invoked especially against diseases associated with the head, such as migraine, epilepsy ("le mal Saint-Jean") and quinsy

Publication/Creation

London (Poets Gallery, Fleet St.) : Tho.s Macklin, May 28th 1796.

Physical description

1 print : engraving, with etching

Lettering

St John. B. West R.A. pinx.t ; J. Landseer sculp.t

Reference

Wellcome Collection 6232i

Type/Technique

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