Here are some pictures from the opening of a St. John the Baptist themed art exhibit in the days around his feast day, June 24th. Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Florence, his feast day is marked by festivities in the city and fireworks at night. In the exhibit work from first year students, I being one of them, who have continued to do a six month tirocinio or apprenticeship in different bottegas and organizations around the city. The Cardinal of Florence was there for the opening of the show.
I did a small oil painting of St. John the Baptist (I posted a picture below) using traditional symbolic elements. I depicted him holding a banner supported by a rod which reads "Ecce Agnus Dei" or "behold the Lamb of God". This signifies the role of St. John the Baptist, he is the "voice that cries out in the desert 'Prepare the way of the Lord.'" (John 1: 23). He is wearing camel hair to signify his penitential life out in the wilderness covered by a red drapery to symbolize his martyrdom.
Pictures were taken by Alberto Macherelli, one of the apprentices.
