Painted for the Servite church of San Giorgio in Poggiale, this altarpiece marks Albani’s first major commission after his return to Bologna from his long Roman stay, and is considered one of his most important sacred works. The scene is set in a barren, dark-toned landscape, except for a bright tree canopy on the right. Jesus and John the Baptist occupy the center: Jesus, on the right, wears a dark blue robe and bows toward John, who holds a bowl to pour water from the Jordan River over Christ’s head, above which appears the dove of the Holy Spirit. Two angels stand behind Jesus to the left, one offering a white cloth symbolizing his future sacrifice. Above, God the Father, surrounded by angels and putti, blesses the scene with outstretched arms, dominating the composition.
