Pope Liberius Baptizing the Neophytes, 1647–49, Alessandro Algardi, Italian, (Rome), 1602–1654, 21 1/2 x 36 x 1 in. ( x x cm), Terracotta, Italy, 17th century, This terra-cotta relief is the only known study in clay for a sculpture decorating the marble fountain of Saint Damasus in the Vatican. The fountain was erected in the 17th century by Pope Innocent X to mark his restoration of aqueducts built for Pope Damasus in the 4th century. The relief shows Damasus’ predecessor, Liberius, baptizing new converts to Christianity. Damasus stands behind him, lifting his mantle


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Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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