Altarpiece of the Baptist

Giovanni del Biondo was active for a short time in Siena where he was influenced by Bartolo di Fredi. Then he went to Florence and followed the style of Jacopo di Cione and Orcagna. He was among the personalities who most exemplify the general artistic level in Florence of the second half of the 14th century.

The large altarpiece of the Baptist illustrates the painters style in the 1360s. The somewhat archaic composition is based on the example of the Master of St Cecilia Altarpiece: the large central figure is surrounded by small scenes. In the centre St John the Baptist in the Act of Crushing Herod at his Feet is depicted, the Descent in Limbo is the main element of the predella. The central scene is surrounded by ten Scenes from the Life of St John the Baptist.