Saint John the Baptist praying in the Wilderness

Italian School (16th-17th). Oil painting on paper, Saint John the Baptist praying in the Wilderness, Italian School, 16th/17th century. A sketch in oils on paper representing the New Testament biblical story told in Luke's Gospel of the time spent by John the Baptist in the wilderness. Saint John sits on rocks in front of a tree, his right foot resting on a large boulder. He is partially draped around his loins and across his left shoulder. His reed cross rests between his legs and against his right shoulder. The Saint clasps his hands together in prayer and looks up and towards the left. He is bearded with shoulder length hair and his skin appears heavily tanned. A flat landscape with sparse vegetation can be seen in the background and the sky is coloured a deep blue. Stourhead, Wiltshire (Accredited Museum)