Dubai: Don't miss the last chance to witness Leonardo da Vinci's iconic Saint John the Baptist at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This masterpiece will be on display at the Louvre art museum, located on Saadiyat Island, till November 3.
A Renaissance masterpiece
Originally painted in the early 16th century in Florence, Italy, Saint John the Baptist remained unfinished at the time of Leonardo da Vinci’s death.
The painting passed through the hands of prominent owners such as King Charles I of England and King Louis XIV of France. It eventually found its permanent home at the Louvre Museum in the year 1793.
A special loan
To commemorate its fifth anniversary, the Louvre Abu Dhabi secured a special loan of Saint John the Baptist from the Musée du Louvre in France. The painting was on display at the UAE museum from November 8, 2022.
The artistry of Da Vinci
This iconic masterpiece is among the most celebrated paintings in history. It is renowned for its masterful use of the chiaroscuro technique, which is a delicate interplay of light and shadow using paint, to create a sense of depth and mystery.
The soft, ethereal effect that the painting is known for, was done by superimposing very thin layers of glaze, made up of oil barely charged with pigments, according to an article on the Louvre website. This effect, in which Leonardo da Vinci excelled, is called sfumato. It makes contours appear vaporous and animates the figure. The master painter used few colours – an almost abstract black background and warm brown tones.
Representing an ideal type of beauty, featuring a subtle smile, Saint John the Baptist is reminiscent of other works by the master, such as Saint Anne or The Mona Lisa. The twist of the body, which emerges from the darkness, as if captured in the moment, evokes the delicate flame of a candle in the night.
History of the painting
Saint John the Baptist was kept in possession of da Vinci, who brought it with him when settling in France in 1516 at the invitation of King Francis I (1494 – 1547). When Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519, the painting was still partly unfinished – including the right arm and the fur covering the body.
Acquired by the French sovereign, the painting passed into the collection of King Charles I of England (1600 – 1649) in approximately 1630 before entering the collection of Louis XIV in 1662. The work then remained in the French royal collection until it entered the Louvre during the French Revolution.
Saint John the Baptist was restored in 2016 by the Louvre Paintings Department. The detailed process made it possible to thin the thickened layers of yellowed and oxidised varnish that were applied after the artist’s death, which were detrimental to the colour palette and concealed the form of Saint John. The figure of the saint then regained a structural relief, highlighting the sinuous, twisting movement and a more subtle facial expression.
As the final opportunity to see this masterpiece in Abu Dhabi draws to a close, visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi official website to book tickets and experience the genius of Leonardo da Vinci firsthand.
