'Baptism of Christ' by Verrocchio and Leonardo: Toward the high Renaissance

'The Baptism of Christ' was painted around 1472 - 1475 by the two Italian Renaissance artists, Andrea del Verrocchio, and his pupil Leonardo da Vinci.

The monks of the San Salvi Church near Florence had commissioned the painting as an altarpiece.

The painting depicts St. John the Baptist baptizing the Lord Jesus Christ on the bank of the River Jordan in Palestine. St. John the Baptist holds a slender cross and a scroll inscribed with the announcement of the Saviour's advent: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (Gospel according to John 1, 29)

Above Jesus's head are God's extended arms painted with golden rays and a dove with wings widely spread.

On the left are the two kneeling angels. Leonardo da Vinci painted the angel holding Jesus's clothing.

Leonardo used oil, a new medium in painting at that time to paint the angel.

Historian Giorgio Vasari in the mid-16th century commented on 'The Baptism of Christ' painting.
"Verrocchio had already done the main work. Leonardo painted an angel holding some garments, and despite his youth, he executed it in such a manner that his angel was far better than the figures painted by Verrocchio. This was the reason why Andrea would never touch colors again. He was so ashamed that a boy understood their use better than he did."

Watch the video to listen to two speakers, Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, talk more about the 'Baptism of Christ' masterpiece.