The image for January on my calendar is Baptism of Christ by Pietro Perugino. It is a fresco made around 1482 and is located in the Sistine Chapel. It’s been a perfect calendar picture, because there is a lot going on, and even late into the month I’m noticing new details.
- I like the man to Jesus’s right, looking on solemnly, ignoring the chatter by everyone else around him.
- I like the winged attendants kneeling at the bank with clothes/towels and no one noticing them.
- I like the man taking off all his clothes, ready to be next, clearly more focused on himself than the descent of the Holy Spirit.
- I like the naked baby in the back right where Jesus is preaching. Everyone’s dressed; no one’s doing baptisms; why is the baby naked?
- I like the mom wrangling two kids while John is preaching. They’re climbing all over her—clearly Perugino actually knew children, because some painters depict children as if they’ve never seen one.
- I like the green, hilly background and anachronistic buildings and clothes.
- I like the wavy hair almost everyone has. Representation.
I’m not a fan of the cherubs—baby heads and wings and no bodies.
But overall, it’s been a pleasant sight for the month.
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