Saint John the Baptist c. 18th century

Curator: Looking at this sketch, Saint John the Baptist by Pietro Antonio Novelli, I’m immediately struck by its quiet intensity. It’s small, just over 8 inches tall, but the figure feels monumental. Editor: Absolutely. Novelli, working in the late 18th century, places John within the lineage of prophets crying out against injustice, a dissident challenging power. His raised finger isn’t just a gesture; it's a call to action. Curator: And that’s conveyed with such minimal means! It’s a drawing, really, lines on paper, but the dynamism is palpable. I find myself pondering what it means to use the simplest tools to evoke such profound conviction. Editor: The simplicity almost amplifies the radicality, doesn't it? No baroque flourishes to distract from John's message. He's stripped bare, both literally and figuratively, existing on the margins. Curator: Precisely. It’s a powerful testament to the fact that art, even in its most understated form, can spark profound reflection. Editor: Agreed. And seeing him rendered so plainly reminds us that the call for justice echoes through time, demanding our attention, even now.