Baptism of Christ - Francesco Albani

Baptism of Christ by Francesco Albani - Christianity, Religious Paintings from Hermitage Museum

Painting Detail

Baptism of Christ
Artist: Francesco Albani
Medium: Painting, Oil on canvas, 268x195 cm
Date: c. 1640
Genre: Christianity Painting, Religious Painting
Source: Collection of Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall, 1779

We read of the baptism of Christ in the waters of the River Jordan by John the Baptist in the Gospel According to St Matthew and St Mark . In accordance with tradition, Albani shows the moment at which the Holy Spirit descended from the sky in the form of a dove and announced with mysterious voice "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased". Due to the loss of the upper part of the painting, we no longer see the dove today.