This is a plaster cast from the marble 'Youthful St John the Baptist' in the Museo Nazionale (Bargello), by Antonio Rossellino made in 1477 in Florence. The cast is made by Guiseppe Lelli in about 1895. The Baptist holds a scroll inscribed AGITE PENETENTIAM, calling for repentance. This figure, for which Antonio Rossellino received payment in 1477, originally stood over the door of the Opera di S. Giovanni on the Piazza del Duomo in Florence. There is also a bust length version of this St John, made of stucco, in the Museo Nazionale.

Antonio Rossellino (1427-28 - 1479) was the brother of Bernardo Rossellino, from whom he possibly received his first formal training. He was of the same generation of sculptors as Desiderio da Settignano and Mino da Fiesole and his stylistic approach resembles that of those sculptors rather then that of his brother.

Plaster casts were especially sought after during the 19th century, when reproductions of great works of sculpture and architecture were thought crucial for the training of artists. A separating substance was applied to the surface of the work to be reproduced, and a plaster mould made from that. The mould would then be used to make any number of additional plaster copies. These were often sold to artists, and later in the century to art colleges for study purposes.