Mattia Preti : the young St John the Baptist wearing the tabard of the Order of St John

Abstract

This unusual representation of the young St John the Baptist with the looks of a man in his early youth is unique to Preti’s repertoire. On his bare torso, the saint wears the red tabard of the Order of St John, a military apparel used in warfare to denote brotherhood and camaraderie. His penetrating gaze complements his gesture, indicating with his left index inger the lamb which he holds in his right hand. The painting stands for the inscription ‘Ecce Agnus Dei’ (‘Behold the Lamb of God’), inscribed on a cartouche billowing from a cross-shaped stick, which the tabard’s military function transforms into a fundamentalist battle cry. The diagonal shaft of light creates an aura of drama, highlighted by the dark background and complemented by a slight breeze indicated by the billowing cartouche. [Excerpt]