Baptism of Christ

Alessandro Algardi

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Baptism of Christ by Alessandro Algardi: A bronze sculpture depicting three figures on a rectangular base with ornate scrollwork at the corners. The figure on the right, presumably John the Baptist, stands on a rock or wave. He wears a cloth wrapped around his waist, and his right arm is outstretched with a dove above his hand. In his left hand, he holds a long staff with a cross at the top. The figure on the left, presumably Christ, stands with his right hand on the shoulder of a small nude figure, likely an angel. The angel stands on a rock with their left hand on Christ's and their right hand reaching up to the dove. The rectangular base has a rounded front edge with a shell design. Scrollwork adorns the base on either side. The background is gray.