You Tube Theology

John the Baptist's role throughout his life was to prepare the way for Christ's ministry on earth, that is, the travelling, teaching and preaching Christ would begin after his baptism by John. To prepare himself for this great task, the young John the Baptist left the city of Jerusalem for the wilderness. Alone and reliant on nature, he becomes the emaciated, tousle-haired figure so often depicted in art.

In this episode art historian Jennifer Sliwka and theologian Ben Quash take a close look at an Italian Renaissance predella panel by Giovanni di Paolo, 'Saint John the Baptist retiring to the Desert', 1454 and pay a visit behind the scenes to see an anonymous Italian artist's depiction of 'Saint John the Baptist' in the wilderness of about 1540-60 and Moretto da Brescia's 'Christ blessing Saint John the Baptist', probably 1640-60.

'John the Baptist: From Birth to Beheading' is a series of 10 films sharing the highlights of the collaborative MA course taught by Dr Jennifer Sliwka, Howard and Roberta Ahmanson Fellow in Art and Religion at the National Gallery and Professor Ben Quash, Director of the Centre for Arts and the Sacred, King's College London.

Subscribe and never miss a new video: http://bit.ly/1HrNTFd

Would you like to attend our Lunchtime Talks? Take a look at our program:
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/lunchtime-talks

Follow us on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NationalGallery
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenationalgallery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/national_gallery/

Help keep the museum accessible for everyone by supporting us here:
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/support-us

The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10.00 am - 6.00 pm and on Fridays between 10.00 am - 9.00 pm.

Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk