Baptism of Jesus 1507

Pietro Perugino painted the Baptism of Jesus in the Oratorio della Nunziatella in Foligno. Here, we see John the Baptist pouring water over Christ’s head, a powerful symbol of purification and spiritual rebirth. Note the dove descending from above, a classical symbol of peace and renewal, which here signifies the Holy Spirit. This motif harkens back to ancient imagery—consider how doves were released in Greek and Roman ceremonies to mark the beginning of a new era or the consecration of sacred spaces. The gesture of pouring water transcends its literal depiction, embodying a psychological release, a cleansing of the old self. The persistence of such symbols reveals a collective memory, a deep-seated human need for purification and renewal that echoes across centuries.