Leonardo da VinciItalian, 1452–1519Saint John the Baptist
Saint Jean Baptiste
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Saint John the Baptist” now? Musée du Louvre, Salle 710, Aile Denon, Niveau 1, Paris. Yes, on view now. Checked September 26, 2026.
Open now· until 6:00 PM
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
Saint John the Baptist is a High Renaissance oil painting on walnut wood by Leonardo da Vinci. Likely to have been completed between 1513 and 1516, it is believed to be his final painting. Its original size was 69 by 57 centimetres (27 in × 22 in).
The painting is in the permanent collection of the Louvre. In November 2022, it was loaned to Louvre Abu Dhabi for two years as part of the museum's fifth anniversary.
Details
- Accession number
- INV 775
In the catalog
Sources
- Musée du Louvre
- Image: Musée du Louvre — © 2016 GrandPalaisRmn (musée du Louvre) / Tony Querrec
In the life of Leonardo da Vinci
The whole life1506
A new pupil: Francesco Melzi
In Milan Leonardo took on Count Francesco Melzi, son of a Lombard aristocrat, who is considered his favourite pupil. Melzi accompanied him in France and became his principal heir.
1506
Summoned to Milan by the French governor
Leonardo was summoned to Milan by Charles II d'Amboise, the acting French governor of the city. The Council of Florence wanted him back promptly to finish “The Battle of Anghiari”, but he was given leave at the behest of King Louis XII.
September 1513
Moves to Rome under Pope Leo X
After Giovanni de' Medici, Lorenzo's son, became Pope Leo X, Leonardo went to Rome, where he was received by the pope's brother Giuliano. Until 1516 he lived mostly in the Belvedere of the Apostolic Palace, where Michelangelo and Raphael were both active, on an allowance of 33 ducats a month.
1516
Moves to France at the invitation of Francis I
Leonardo accepted the French king's invitation and settled at the Château du Clos Lucé near the royal Château d'Amboise. As First Painter, Engineer and Architect to the King he received an annual pension of a thousand écus.
c. 1517
His right hand goes numb
Two years before his death Leonardo's right hand went numb, and he could barely move about without help. He spent his third year in Amboise in bed.
2 May 1519
Died
![Wreath of Laurel, Palm, and Juniper with a Scroll inscribed Virtutem Forma Decorat [reverse], Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1474/1478](https://api.nga.gov/iiif/ff62e8d0-45c4-498f-ad36-6358de827e04/full/!2400,2400/0/default.jpg)
![Ginevra de' Benci [obverse], Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1474/1478](https://api.nga.gov/iiif/8f29e3c9-a289-4d53-abf0-31a66e9e98fa/full/!2400,2400/0/default.jpg)
