The Young Saint John the Baptist

Follower of Desiderio da Settignano

National Gallery of Art

The head and shoulders of a young boy have been carved from white marble in this freestanding sculpture. In this photograph, the boy’s shoulders are square to us, and he turns his head to look off to our left. His wavy hair comes low on his forehead and curls along the back of his neck. He has slightly raised brows, and the irises of his eyes are lightly carved so the boy appears to look up under heavy lids. He has an oval face with smooth cheeks, a delicate nose, and his lips are closed. He wears a garment that appears to be fur under a more voluminous robe, which drapes over one shoulder and wraps around the chest. The sculpture ends in a straight, blunt line below the shoulders, and it sits on a stepped, white marble base. The background is pale gray.