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Francesco Zaganelli, 'The Visitation with the Baptism of Christ', 1514

About the work

Overview

This is the main panel of an altarpiece painted for the chapel of the Visitation in the church of S. Andrea in Vineis, Faenza. A scroll inscribed ‘Ecce Agnus Dei’ (‘Behold the Lamb of God’) is attached to the reed cross that Saint John the Baptist holds. The inscription refers to Christ, who will be sacrificed like a lamb for the salvation of humanity. John pours water from a bowl onto the head of Christ, who clasps his hands in prayer and accepts God’s will. The other Latin inscription, held by the hovering baby with the cloth, translates as: 'This is my beloved Son’ (Matthew 3: 17).

The scene on the left of women accompanied by angels represents the Visitation – the encounter between the pregnant Saint Elizabeth and her cousin the Virgin Mary. Elizabeth, pointing to the main scene of Christ’s baptism, shows Mary the future encounter of their unborn sons. Combining both episodes in one painting was very rare at this time.

Key facts

Details

Full title
The Visitation with the Baptism of Christ
Artist dates
active 1499; died 1532
Part of the series
The Laderchi Altarpiece from San Domenico, Faenza
Date made
1514
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
200.7 × 190.5 cm
Inscription summary
Signed; Dated
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1924
Inventory number
NG3892.1
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection
Frame
21st-century Replica Frame

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

Images

About the series: The Laderchi Altarpiece from San Domenico, Faenza

Overview

These two panel paintings formed the altarpiece for the Laderchi chapel in S. Andrea in Vineis, Faenza (the church was rebuilt in the eighteenth century and rededicated as S. Domenico). The main panel represents two episodes from the New Testament: the Visitation of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Saint Elizabeth, who was pregnant with Saint John the Baptist; and the baptism of Christ in the river Jordan by Saint John the Baptist. The lunette, or upper panel, shows the dead Christ sitting on his open tomb, supported by two angels.

On 9 April 1504, Giacomo di Francesco Laderchi dictated a will in which he ordained that after his death his brothers should spend 100 lire in adorning the chapel of the Visitation, which he had paid to have built in 1489. Given the prominence of John the Baptist in this altarpiece, his brother Giovanni Battista was probably most closely involved in the commission.

Works in the series

This is the main panel of an altarpiece painted for the chapel of the Visitation in the church of S. Andrea in Vineis, Faenza. A scroll inscribed ‘Ecce Agnus Dei’ (‘Behold the Lamb of God’) is attached to the reed cross that Saint John the Baptist holds. The inscription refers to Christ, who will...
Not on display
This is the lunette, or upper panel, of an altarpiece for the chapel of the Visitation in S. Andrea in Vineis, Faenza. The dead Christ sits on the lid of his stone tomb supported by two angels. The lid is placed obliquely so that it appears to project into our space, as do Christ’s legs. Zaganell...
Not on display