Abstract The provenance of the panel painting of John the Baptist Enthroned in Christ Church Picture Gallery is documented as the sacristy of the ancient Florentine parish church of Santa Maria degli Ughi (now demolished). Sacristies, despite their crucial role in servicing the liturgy and safeguarding church valuables, have been neglected by art historians. Florentine Trecento sacristies and the Sacrist’s important role are considered here. The highly unusual iconography of the Oxford Baptist is analysed, and its attribution to Lippo di Benivieni – an important Florentine painter who directed a successful workshop – is confirmed. The painting is related to the earlier Baptistery mosaics in Florence and also to the burgeoning cult of Saint John in the city’s civic ceremony.
Julian Gardner (Tue,) studied this question.