Saint John the Baptist Self-researched

A bronze statue commissioned by the cloth merchant's guild (Arte di Calimala). The first life-sized bronze cast in the Renaissance and the first bronze statue of its size to be cast in a single piece for several hundred years in Italy.

The artist's use of unnaturalistic but elegant curves in the hair and drapery of the saint show the influence of the International Gothic style prevalent in Italy at the time the work was created. The statue marks an important technical achievement in bronze casting and helped establish Ghiberti's reputation, leading to his famous commission for the Baptistery doors.