Baptism of Christ – Oratorio della Nunziatella – Foligno
The fresco is part of the decoration commissioned by the rector of the Annunziata society Giovanni Battista Merganti, at the beginning of the sixteenth century, for the chapel of San Giovanni Battista. The theme of Baptism had a great success among Perugino’s clients, thanks to the fresco he realized in the Sistine Chapel, which he then reproduced, although in simplified forms, for other minor commissions; probably Perugino had the opportunity to admire a work depicting the same subject in the Florentine workshop of Andrea Verrocchio, but he chose a much graceful image. At the center of the scene, as if they were floating on the water of the Jordan River, Saint John is about to pour the water of Baptism on the head of Christ, who is praying and is dressed only in a light cloth knotted under his hips.
On the banks of the river, four elegant angels attend the scene, while two others, surrounded by cherubim, accompany a white dove, representing the presence of the Holy Spirit.
In the lunette above, God is seated on the clouds, holding the Globe and blessing the scene, honored by two angels holding lilies, symbol of purity.
The entire painting over the centuries has suffered different damages due to humidity and has been subject of some restoration works between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with the restoration of gaps.
The work is preserved at the Oratorio of the Nunziatella.
