[etabeta]

#68 by Perugino. This Renaissance fresco is a combined effort of Perugino and Pinturicchio. Pinturicchio is believed to have painted the landscape and scenes to the left and right of the baptism scene. There are two secondary scenes, Christ Preaching on the right and the Sermon of John the Baptist on the left. Visually impressive work.

#70 - Great stained glass window.

#74 Poussin - The artist made several version of the baptism, I like this one, painted as a more intimate, spiritual event. And, talking about immersion or sprinkling, he does not need Jesus unclothed as he kneels on the banks of the river.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I wondered this yesterday when you pointed out Leonardo's virtuosity, and now Poussin's raises it again in my poor noggin: again and again and again, artists clothe characters in the richest of robes, silk and satin and whatever, in a way that seems completely out of context of their personality and the location--as in Poussin's.

It seems so incongruous to me that I need their ulterior motive. My suspicion is that it's their excuse for showing off their skills in painting draperies. What say you?