What is the historical context behind 18th-century paintings created after Bartolome Esteban Murillo?

During the 18th century, European artists frequently studied and copied works by Spanish Baroque masters like Bartolome Esteban Murillo, whose gentle, naturalistic depictions of religious figures, particularly young St. John the Baptist with a lamb, were widely revered across Europe.

What materials were typically used in 18th-century religious oil portraiture?

Eighteenth-century paintings were predominantly executed using oil pigments on hand-woven linen or hemp canvas, often mounted in carved or moulded timber frames finished with gold leaf or gesso.

How can an authentic 18th-century oil painting be identified?

Authentic 18th-century works often display characteristic age craquelure across the paint surface, hand-stitched canvas seams or irregular fabric weaves, oxidation on the reverse canvas, and traditional joinery techniques on the timber stretcher.

How can an antique religious oil painting be integrated into a modern interior?

Position the portrait as a focal point above a mantelpiece, credenza, or sideboard, pairing its rich tones and gilded frame with minimalist contemporary furniture or dark wood antiques to create visual contrast.

How should an 18th-century oil painting and gilded frame be maintained?

Dust the painting and frame gently with a soft, dry camel-hair brush, avoiding moisture, liquid cleaners, or chemical solvents, and display the artwork away from direct sunlight, dampness, and fluctuating heat sources.

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St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs

Name: St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1109412
Price: 1350 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

Description

TiITLE : St. John The Baptist In The Wilderness With Lamb

I am pleased to offer for sale this lovely warm and charming oil painting on canvas which has been fully restored at great expense, and dates from the 18th century being of European School

SYMBOLISM IN ART

A lamb is the common attribute of Saint John the Baptist

Infant Saint John the Baptist as a child is represented with a lamb which later symbolised his recognition of Jesus as the Son of God.

When John baptised Jesus in the River Jordan he said ‘Behold, the Lamb of God’ (John 1: 36).

ABOUT ARTIST MURILLO

After Murillo’s 16th century original oil painting “ Titled The Infant Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness “.An 18th Century depiction.

Born in Seville in 1617, Murillo spent his entire career in the city, apart from at least one brief sojourn to the court of Madrid.

He trained with Juan del Castillo, a prominent local painter, and went on to become an artist of considerable talent.

When Seville was ravaged by a plague and famine in 1649–1651, many of the established painters including Zurbarán left the city.

Murillo, however, stood his ground and continued to build his success with private patrons and collectors in Seville. By the 1660s, he was at the height of his career.

ABOUT [ The Infant Holds Sheep Shears ]

Sheep shearing is the process by which the woollen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep''s wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year (a sheep may be said to have been ''shorn'' or ''sheared'', depending upon dialect.

Sheep are shorn in all seasons, depending on the climate, management requirements and the availability of a woolclasser and shearers. Ewes are normally shorn prior to lambing in the warmer months, but consideration is typically made as to the welfare of the lambs by not shearing during cold climate winters. However, in high country regions, pre lamb shearing encourages ewes to seek shelter among the hillsides so that newborn lambs aren''t completely exposed to the elements. Shorn sheep tolerate frosts well, but young sheep especially will suffer in cold, wet windy weather (even in cold climate summers). In this event they are shedded for several nights until the weather clears. Some sheep may also be shorn with stud combs commonly known as cover combs which leave more wool on the animal in colder months, giving greater protection.

CONDITION

Excellent order after careful and extensive professional past refurbishment throughout, which included a clean, quality reline and replacement stretches / wedges with ties.

FRAMED MEASUREMENTS

Height 30 Inches ( 76.5 cm )

Width. 25 Inches ( 63.5 cm )

Depth 1.5 Inches ( 4 cm )

FRAME

A later swept gilt wooden frame with decorative trim and slip.

DELIVERY

UK P & P £60

Worldwide : £200

TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES: 07765 856171

Ref: CLC/041/RBC

Physical Dimensions

Height

76.5cm (30.12")

Width

63.5cm (25.00")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this Antique Religious Oil Painting to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1109412

Dealers Internal Reference

CLC/041/RBC

Dealers Notes

Payments are accepted by Bank Transfer & by Debit / Credit Cards Via the BUY NOW Payment Link Tab shown below each items description.

PAY-PAL Account Holders are welcome. CHEQUES Drawn from UK banks.

Description

TiITLE : St. John The Baptist In The Wilderness With Lamb

“

I am pleased to offer for sale this lovely warm and charming oil painting on canvas which has been fully restored at great expense, and dates from the 18th century being of European School.

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

fig 1. An 18th-century oil painting depicting young Saint John the Baptist seated beside a lamb, framed in a moulded gilded frame. — fig 1. St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs

SYMBOLISM IN ART

A lamb is the common attribute of Saint John the Baptist

Infant Saint John the Baptist as a child is represented with a lamb which later symbolised his recognition of Jesus as the Son of God.

fig 2. An 18th-century oil painting depicting young Saint John the Baptist seated beside a lamb, framed in a moulded gilded frame. — fig 2. St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs

When John baptised Jesus in the River Jordan he said ‘Behold, the Lamb of God’ (John 1: 36).

ABOUT ARTIST MURILLO

After Murillo’s 16th century original oil painting “ Titled The Infant Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness “.An 18th Century depiction.

fig 3. An 18th-century oil painting depicting young Saint John the Baptist seated beside a lamb, framed in a moulded gilded frame. — fig 3. St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs

Born in Seville in 1617, Murillo spent his entire career in the city, apart from at least one brief sojourn to the court of Madrid.

He trained with Juan del Castillo, a prominent local painter, and went on to become an artist of considerable talent.

fig 4. An 18th-century oil painting depicting young Saint John the Baptist seated beside a lamb, framed in a moulded gilded frame. — fig 4. St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs

When Seville was ravaged by a plague and famine in 1649–1651, many of the established painters including Zurbarán left the city.

Murillo, however, stood his ground and continued to build his success with private patrons and collectors in Seville. By the 1660s, he was at the height of his career.

fig 5. An 18th-century oil painting depicting young Saint John the Baptist seated beside a lamb, framed in a moulded gilded frame. — fig 5. St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs

ABOUT [ The Infant Holds Sheep Shears ]

Sheep shearing is the process by which the woollen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep''s wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year (a sheep may be said to have been ''shorn'' or ''sheared'', depending upon dialect.

fig 6. An 18th-century oil painting depicting young Saint John the Baptist seated beside a lamb, framed in a moulded gilded frame. — fig 6. St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs

Sheep are shorn in all seasons, depending on the climate, management requirements and the availability of a woolclasser and shearers. Ewes are normally shorn prior to lambing in the warmer months, but consideration is typically made as to the welfare of the lambs by not shearing during cold climate winters. However, in high country regions, pre lamb shearing encourages ewes to seek shelter among the hillsides so that newborn lambs aren''t completely exposed to the elements. Shorn sheep tolerate frosts well, but young sheep especially will suffer in cold, wet windy weather (even in cold climate summers). In this event they are shedded for several nights until the weather clears. Some sheep may also be shorn with stud combs commonly known as cover combs which leave more wool on the animal in colder months, giving greater protection.

fig 7. An 18th-century oil painting depicting young Saint John the Baptist seated beside a lamb, framed in a moulded gilded frame. — fig 7. St. John the Baptist After Murillo 18th Religious Oil Portrait Paintings of Lambs

CONDITION

Excellent order after careful and extensive professional past refurbishment throughout, which included a clean, quality reline and replacement stretches / wedges with ties.

FRAMED MEASUREMENTS