Saint John the Baptist is one of the patron saints of Florence, where representations of him as a youth enjoyed a special popularity in the fifteenth century. In its format and profile depiction of the saint, this picture resembles contemporary marble reliefs, but the soft modeling reflects Piero's awareness of Netherlandish painting.
Credit: The Bequest of Michael Dreicer, 1921
c. 1480-82
Tempera and oil on wood
29.2 x 23.5 cm
22.60.52
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Permanent collection