Florence and Rome · childhood, desert and preaching

Raphael follows John the Baptist from Christ's child companion to the prophet of the desert, varying tenderness, presentiment, asceticism and public speech.

In the Florentine Madonnas, little John already recognizes Christ. The Beautiful Planter gives him a miniature cross and an attentive look; the Madonna in the chair places him at the edge of the tondo, hands clasped before the maternal embrace. As an adult, Saint John the Baptist in the desert changes scale and climate: the isolated body, the animal skin and the gesture announce a prophetic vocation. The Preaching of Saint John the Baptist in the desert finally broadens the scene to the community gathered to listen to his call. Raphael therefore does not only represent an attribute - cross, skin or gesture - but the progressive formation of a mission. The Preaching of Saint John the Baptist finally broadens the scene to the community gathered to listen to his call. Raphael finally expands the stage to the community gathered to listen to his call. Raphael finally expands the stage to the community gathered to listen to his call. Raphael's Preaching finally broadens the scene to the community gathered to listen to his call. Raphael's Preaching finally broadens the scene to the community gathered to listen to his call. Raphael's Preaching finally broadens the scene to the community gathered to listen to his call. Raphael's Preaching finally broadens the scene opposite Saint John the Baptist in the desert and The Madonna in the Chair (Virgin and Child with little Saint John the Baptist). His reading favors drawing.

The little playmate already carries the prophet's cross; the adult, alone or in front of the crowd, displays this sign in words.