This painting is part of a diptych; its counterpart showing St Veronica is now in the National Gallery in Washington. Depicted in a landscape setting, John is the first to herald Jesus as the Messiah as he stands on the bank of the Jordan preaching to the people (John 1:29). On the reverse of this panel is a skull and the inscription ‘MORIERIS’ (Thou shalt die); on the reverse of the panel with St Veronica is the poisoned cup from which John drank unscathed. The inscription ‘H. V. D. GOES. / 1472’ was added later in another hand.
1819/20 durch König Max I. Joseph wahrscheinlich von der Kunsthandlung Artaria in Mannheim angekauft
Stock
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München
Citation
Hans Memling,
Johannes der Täufer
(Rückseite: Totenkopf), 1470er/80er Jahre,
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München, URL: https://www.sammlung.pinakothek.de/en/artwork/2mxqY2Yx8b (Last updated on 21.02.2022)
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