Collection record · Objects & craft
Baptism of Christ
The collection record classifies this work as sculpture. It is dated designed 1645–46, probably made 1650–55. Recorded culture or place: Italy.
Explore the object recordOBJECT RECORD
A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Baptism of Christ
- Date
- designed 1645–46, probably made 1650–55
- Culture / origin
- Italy
- Materials and technique
- bronze
- Dimensions
- Overall: 62.5 x 46.8 x 33.4 cm (24 5/8 x 18 7/16 x 13 1/8 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Alessandro Algardi (Italian, 1598–1654)
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1965.471
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
When Innocent X (Giovanni Battista Pamphili, ruled 1644–55) became pope, Alessandro Algardi endeavored to obtain his patronage. This bronze Baptism of Christ is a casting from the molds used for an original silver sculpture that Algardi presented to the new pope to gain his support in 1646. The composition depicts an important scene in the life of Christ. On the right is John the Baptist, who pours water onto Jesus's head from a shell. As Christ bows his head to be baptized, a little angel holds the edge of his cloak. Algardi worked carefully to make this piece exciting from a number of points of view. Its dramatic emphasis shifts, depending on the viewer's vantage point.
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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