Geertgen tot Sint Jans (c. 1460/65 - latest 1495)

This beautiful painting of St. John the Baptist in the Wilderness, lost in thought and forlorn, is by Geertgen tot Sint Jans, and dates c. 1485-1490.


Very little is known about the artist. He was probably born in the Dutch town of Leyden betweem 1460 and 1465, and died in Haarlem before 1495, possible aged 28. In the few paintings that survive he displays a mastery both in figures and in landscape.


Other works by Geertgen include:
The Lamentation of Christ 
Nativity at Night
Adoration of the Magi