Page 148 - The mystery of faith

Fig. 3

not retain its customary attribute, which, in this case, would have been a tall cross with the insignia of
Ecce Agnus Dei. Although the shape and size of the head is similar, the hairstyle, with its short chopped
locks, is closer to the Infant Baptist by Arce. The Baptist is dressed in a camel skin, which leaves his
right shoulder and his lower legs bare; his back is covered by a mantle. Like the Infant Christ, the Ribas
modelled his Infant Baptist with a smooth soft body, but instead of a seraphim base, stood this figure
upon on a craggy mass modelled to suggest sedimentary, or possibly volcanic rock.

Both sculptures retain their full original polychromy. The flesh colours are white with soft rosy-peach
shades in the chubby cheeks. However, past cleanings may have clarified what was an originally slightly
darker tonality. The estofado decoration of the drapery incorporates a variety of colours and motifs:
red with a chevron pattern in the mantle of the Infant Christ and punched poppy pod motifs on the
tunic. The predominantly gold and brown tones of the Baptist’s camel skin are enlivened with punched
Cross of Malta motifs in green. Even the rocks of the Baptist’s base have this golden tone visible beneath
the earthy brown.

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