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
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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
- Subjects
- Landscape — river
- Religion — New Testament — baptism of Christ
- Religion — angel
- Animal — bird — dove
- Religion — New Testament — Christ
- Landscape — mountain
- Object Number
- 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).