Hard stone marquetry panel depicting Christ and Saint John the Baptist as children
Italy, 17th century
Lapis Lazuli, agates, Bohemian jasper and chalcedony on a slate background. Gilt bronze frame
H 22 cm L 12,5 cm
This marquetry depicts Christ and Saint John the Baptist as children. The technical virtuosity here is clearly visible in the subtle use of the specific features of the stones to create plastic effects, such as the chairs and hair of the two figures or the lamb's coat.
This scene with two children appeared in Tuscany in the 15th century. The theme enjoyed a major revival in the following century thanks to a now lost work by Leonardo da Vinci showing the two children embracing.
Our depiction is therefore entirely in keeping with this tradition. Christ, on the left, tenderly embraces Saint John the Baptist, accompanied by his attributes, which are the animal skin, the staff or crossed reed forming the cross at the top and the lamb, prefiguring the gift of his life by Christ to redeem the sins of humanity.
