The Baptism of Christ

Giovanni Battista Fontana

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a group of people gathered around a central figure holding a child, set within an architectural space with columns. The scene is drawn with fine ink lines, illustrating a gathering in what appears to be a temple or a grand architectural setting. The central figure holds a young child, presenting the child outward. The surrounding figures are depicted with expressions of attentiveness and reverence, dressed in robes with their hands positioned in a manner that suggests focus on the child. The background features intricate line work to demonstrate the grandeur of the surrounding architecture, using cross-hatching techniques to create shadow and depth.