The Baptism of Christ
(Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1: 9–1 1; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34)

Christ was baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist "during a general baptism of the people" so many would be present." At the moment when he came up out of the water he saw the heavens open and the Spirit, like a dove descending upon him. And a voice spoke from heaven: "Thou art my Son, my Beloved; on thee my favor rests." The theme is found in Christian art of all periods from the 3rd century paintings in the Roman catacombs onwards. In early representations it was customary to depict the Savior naked and fully immersed except for the head and shoulders. The Jordan was portrayed, in the antique manner, as a river god with his Urn, perhaps holding Christ's garments. By the time of the Renaissance a formula was well-established in both Italian and northern painting: Christ, wearing a loin-cloth, stands ankle-deep in the river; the Baptist is on the bank in the act of pouring water over his head (baptism by "affusion"); on the opposite bank, balancing the composition, there are generally two or three angels holding the garments (taking the place of the river god). Above the head of Christ hovers the dove of the Holy Spirit, and above that the figure of God the Father (head and shoulders, or perhaps only the hands) making the sign of blessing. These features are common to very many representations of the theme until the second half of the 16th century, though there are considerable variations of detail. The vessel in St John's hand may be a shallow cup or a shell or, more often in northern art, he may use a pitcher or merely the cupped hand. The landscape, especially in Netherlandish painting, sometimes assumes an importance of its own, showing the river winding away into a vista of northern woods and fields. Mark tells how the people "flocked from the whole Judaean countryside and the city of Jerusalem" to be baptized by John. This may be represented as a few figures undressing in the background or, particularly by baroque painters, as crowded scenes of great movement in which the figure of Christ is only one of many. The attitudes of Christ and the Baptist to each other should be noted. John humbling himself on his knees reflects his words, "I need rather to be baptized by you". On the other hand in Counter-Reformation art the kneeling Savior is more often found. This probably derives from certain Christian mystics of the 16th and 17th cents. who laid emphasis on Christ's humility, exemplified by his acceptance, as one who was sinless, of a purificatory rite. Pictures of the Baptism were commissioned not only for the altarpieces of baptisteries and churches dedicated to St John, but also by donors who shared his Christian name. A kneeling donor is a not uncommon figure in such works.