This striking oil-on-wood painting of John the Baptist is commonly believed to be Leonardo da Vinci’s final work, dating to the second decade of the 16th century. It employs chiaroscuro, an artistic style that involves deep contrast between different elements of the painting—often, as in this case, between the background and the central figure—as well as Leonardo’s signature sfumato treatment that creates a hazy, softened look. In this work, Leonardo departed from the traditional presentation of John the Baptist as a gaunt and aged ascetic, envisioning him instead as a robust, youthful figure with long curly hair who is smiling […]
