Saint John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist

This work belongs to the array of items in the Chapel of Saint John, located in the second section of the Gospel nave. It was rebuilt during the early decades of the 16th century based on the testamentary dispositions of García Ortiz de Luyando. Although it was not until the 19th century that Domingo Ramón Alonso de Tejada decided to build a new altarpiece there that was most likely presided by this image of Saint John the Baptist.

It represents the Forerunner standing on a convex base in the form of natural ground. He adopts a slight contrapposto and his head is lowered, looking down at a lamb lying at his feet, to which he is pointing with his right hand. He is dressed in his usual leather tunic, tightly tied around his waist and exposing half of his chest, where his left hand is placed. A folded, plain red cloak is draped over this shoulder. The general style of the work is attributable to Mauricio de Valdivielso, as can be observed in his face and in details such as the way his right leg, with its arched tibia, has been executed.