A classic Renaissance depiction of the Baptism of Christ by the Florentine master Neri di Bicci, presented in a traditional horizontal format.

This work by Neri di Bicci depicts the biblical scene of the Baptism of Christ. Neri di Bicci was a prolific Florentine painter who operated a large workshop during the mid-fifteenth century. His output often adhered to established iconographic traditions, reflecting the conservative tastes of his patrons in Florence. The composition follows a horizontal format, likely intended as a predella panel for a larger altarpiece.

In the centre, Christ stands in the water, his posture submissive and reverent. To the right, Saint John the Baptist performs the rite, his figure draped in traditional garments. To the left, two angels kneel in attendance, their presence adding a devotional quality to the scene. The background features a stylised, rocky terrain and a winding river, typical of the period's approach to representing natural settings. The figures are rendered with the clear outlines and balanced proportions characteristic of the Florentine school of the time.

Neri di Bicci is well-documented through his personal diary, known as the 'Ricordanze', which provides a detailed account of his commissions, materials, and workshop practices. This document offers a rare glimpse into the daily operations of a Renaissance artist. His style maintains a consistency that allowed his workshop to produce numerous religious works for local churches and private chapels. The painting demonstrates the technical proficiency expected of a master in the Quattrocento, with careful attention paid to the drapery folds and the facial expressions of the figures. The work remains a representative example of the religious art produced in Florence during the transition between the International Gothic style and the more naturalistic developments of the later Renaissance.