Johannes de Doper met staf en lam 1650 - 1655

This is Gilles Rousselet’s engraving of ‘Johannes de Doper met staf en lam’, or John the Baptist with staff and lamb, made in the 17th century. Rousselet was a French printmaker working during the Baroque era, a time of renewed religious fervor and dramatic artistic expression. In this piece, John the Baptist is depicted as a youthful, muscular figure, a stark contrast to the ascetic prophet of the desert. How does this idealization reflect the cultural values of the time, particularly ideas about masculinity and religious authority? The lamb at his feet is a symbol of innocence and sacrifice, deeply intertwined with Christian theology. Consider how Rousselet uses classical ideals and religious symbolism to construct a powerful image. It invites us to reflect on the intersections of faith, power, and representation in the Baroque period. What does this image tell us about how religious figures were portrayed and perceived during this era?