Saint John the Baptist

Dieric Bouts painted ‘Saint John the Baptist’ in grisaille, using only shades of gray. Oil on wood, c. 1475–85. The technique mimics sculpture.

The work is small, typical of devotional panels from this period. It was made in Leuven, where Bouts spent much of his career.

This painting is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. Its provenance before acquisition is not detailed.

Bouts worked in Leuven from at least 1457 until his death. His compositions often reflect the influence of Rogier van der Weyden.

Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio, https://clevelandart.org/art/1951.354

https://oolf.net/open-art/bouts-saint-john-the-baptist/