The Sermon of Saint John the Baptist 

Salvator Rosa painted ‘The Sermon of Saint John the Baptist’ sometime in the mid-17th century. Rosa, an Italian Baroque artist, was a rebellious and eccentric figure, known for his unconventional lifestyle and preference for the wild and sublime. Here, John the Baptist preaches in a rugged, almost theatrical landscape. What's striking is how Rosa positions John not as a distant, divine figure, but as an accessible, muscular man among the people. Look closely at the diverse crowd, from the soldier on horseback to the mothers with their children, each face etched with a sense of yearning and introspection. Rosa seems to be suggesting that spirituality isn't confined to the church, but can be found in the everyday lives of ordinary people. The artist invites us to consider how the historical and religious narratives intersect with individual experiences and emotions. Rosa transforms a biblical scene into a reflection on human vulnerability, longing, and the search for meaning in an uncertain world.