The artwork titled “Birth and Naming St. John (detail)” was created by the artist Filippo Lippi in the year 1465. Executed in the medium of fresco, this piece is a hallmark of the Early Renaissance art movement and belongs to the genre of religious painting.
In the artwork, a scene that captures the birth and naming of St. John the Baptist is depicted with a delicate and realistic touch inherent to Early Renaissance techniques. The fresco illustrates three central figures: a woman holding a swaddled infant, presumed to be St. John, a seated man with a halo, likely representing his father, Zacharias, and a standing figure draped in a richly colored garment. The background features architectural elements with the use of columns and arches, which add depth to the composition, suggesting the setting of an interior space. The muted color palette and the detailed rendering of the drapery and facial expressions reflect Filippo Lippi’s mastery in conveying both the narrative and the spirituality of the scene.
