Baptism of Jesus

Media - 1994.52 - SAAM-1994.52_1 - 11899
Copied Lorenzo Scott, Baptism of Jesus, 1987, oil on canvas, 48 1⁄8 x 48 1⁄8 in. (122.3 x 122.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jane and Bert Hunecke, 1994.52

Artwork Details

Title
Baptism of Jesus
Artist
Date
1987
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
48 1⁄8 x 48 1⁄8 in. (122.3 x 122.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Jane and Bert Hunecke
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Keywords
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
  • Landscape — mountain
  • Religion — New Testament — baptism of Christ
  • Religion — angel
  • Animal — bird — dove
  • Landscape — river
Object Number
1994.52
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1994.52

Artwork Description

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).