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Notes

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Saint John the Baptist is shown between Saint Zeno, the fourth-century Bishop of Verona, and a female saint. Because of the finery of her clothing and her long flowing hair, she may be Saint Catherine, who was a princess from Alexandria. However, the saint is usually shown with the spiked wheel used in her torture, so it is difficult to be sure.

Saint John carries a fine reed cross, a symbol of Christ’s crucifixion. The scroll curled around it is inscribed in Latin with the words he spoke about Christ when he was preaching in the wilderness (John 1: 29, 36): ECCE AGNVS (‘Behold the Lamb’).

The picture is in poor condition, partly because the paint surface has been transferred from the wooden panel on which it was painted to canvas.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Saint Zeno, Saint John the Baptist and a Female Martyr

Date

probably about 1495

Medium

Oil on canvas, transferred from wood

Measurements

H 102.9 x W 141 cm

Accession number

NG3074

Acquisition method

Layard Bequest, 1916

Work type

Painting

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

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Artist or maker

Bartolomeo Montagna

c.1450–1523

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