Ancient preparatory plaster sculpture depicting the baptism of Jesus on the banks of the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist.
The sculpture can be dated between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
The peculiarity of this work is precisely that of being a preparatory work, that is, a model created in plaster through which the sculptor then went on to create the larger and definitive sculpture in marble.
The iron nails that can be seen on the sculpture were used by the artist to take measurements and transfer the correct proportions of the model to the final work.
The preparatory sculptures were very often then destroyed once the finished sculpture was created.
The scene represented is the classic iconography of the baptism of Jesus, the Baptist is depicted with a dromedary's fur and a cape (usually red as a symbol of martyrdom) while Christ with the long robe is in the act of descending into the waters of the river while St. John sprinkles water on his head with the shell.
The wooden base was made specifically for the work and is made of cherry wood.
Measurements:
Total height 95 cm
Width 43 cm
Depth 28 cm
Also look at the other items I have for sale:-)
.png)
BRONZE Seller in
Mantova, Italy
