Battistero di San Giovanni Battista

Siena's Baptistery of San Giovanni occupies the vaulted space beneath the cathedral's choir. Its Gothic architecture contains a major Renaissance baptismal font and an extensive fifteenth-century fresco programme.

Why it matters

The building joins the practical support of the cathedral extension with a distinct ceremonial space for baptism. Its font brought together sculptors working in Siena and Florence, making different artistic approaches part of one commission.

What to notice

Six gilded bronze reliefs recount the life of John the Baptist around the hexagonal font. Ghiberti's Baptism of Christ and Donatello's Feast of Herod contrast in their handling of figures, space and narrative. Jacopo della Quercia and Giovanni di Turino also contributed to the ensemble. Above, Vecchietta's Articles of the Creed pair apostles with prophets across the vaults.

Context and history

The hall took shape in the early fourteenth century under Camaino di Crescentino as the cathedral's choir was extended over sloping ground. The marble facade remained unfinished. Work on the font extended from 1417 to 1431, followed by fresco campaigns including Vecchietta's work of 1447–1450. These successive projects connect the Gothic building with Renaissance sculpture and painting.