John the Baptist

John holding the Staff

John the Baptist (unknown – 28 or 36 CE), born Yôḥānān (Hebraic name), was an itinerant preacher, and a major religious figure who baptized Jesus Christ. He led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River, and held leadership over many disciples.

John was in the possession of one of the Staves of Eden, which he used to start his ministry. After him, Saint Peter would take the Staff and use it to spread the religion of Christianity.

During the Renaissance, the famed polymath Leonardo da Vinci painted a portrait of John the Baptist, modeled after his apprentice, Salaì. A few other paintings of John were displayed in Ezio Auditore da Firenze's painting galleries, often depicting him with Jesus.

Trivia

• The Venetian church, the Santa Maria della Visitazione, was rededicated after the Virgin Mary's visit to John's mother, Elizabeth; it was previously dedicated to the patron saint Jerome.

Gallery

• 
  Baptism of Christ, by Andrea del Verrocchio
• 
  John (left) in Madonna del Cardellino, by Raphael
• 
  Saint Jean Baptiste, by Leonardo da Vinci