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Baptism of Jesus

  • Lorenzo Scott, Baptism of Jesus, 1987, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jane and Bert Hunecke, 1994.52

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This piece illustrates a scene from the New Testament in which Jesus was baptized. The beam of light symbolizes the Holy Spirit, which descended “like a dove” upon Christ (Matthew 3:16). Lorenzo Scott painted Saint John and one of the angels as black people, linking the faith of his community to John’s mission to “prepare the way for the Lord” (Matthew 3:3).

Title
Baptism of Jesus
Artist
Lorenzo Scott
Date
1987
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
48 1/8 x 48 1/8 in. (122.3 x 122.3 cm.)
Copyright
Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Gift of Jane and Bert Hunecke

Mediums
oil
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Painting
Keywords
  • Religion – New Testament – Christ
  • Landscape – mountain
  • Religion – New Testament – baptism of Christ
  • Religion – angel
  • Animal – bird – dove
  • Landscape – river
Object Number
1994.52
Palette
Linked Open Data URI

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