Artwork
St. John the Evangelist, probably from a Crucifixion Group
St. John the Evangelist, probably from a Crucifixion Group is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1420 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This wooden sculpture portrays Saint John the Evangelist, a significant figure in Christian tradition.
About this work
Overview
The saint is depicted in a reflective posture, holding a book, an attribute commonly used to identify him and signify his scriptural writings.
This wooden sculpture portrays Saint John the Evangelist, a significant figure in Christian tradition. It was likely originally integrated into a larger devotional arrangement, most probably a Crucifixion group, where such figures would typically accompany the central scene. The saint is depicted in a reflective posture, holding a book, an attribute commonly used to identify him and signify his scriptural writings.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as Saint John the Evangelist through the book held against his chest, symbolizing his role as an author of one of the Gospels. Within a Crucifixion narrative, John is traditionally shown as a youthful disciple, often positioned at the foot of the cross alongside the Virgin Mary. His gentle pose and subtly sorrowful expression here convey the profound grief and spiritual contemplation appropriate to the sacred event.
Technique & Style
Carved from wood, the sculpture exhibits deeply cut drapery, which imparts a sense of volume and texture to the saint's robes. The artist meticulously rendered the wavy hair and the calm, slightly melancholic expression on the face. Despite showing signs of age, the hands are finely detailed, contributing to the figure's overall lifelike quality. This carving approach emphasizes emotional depth through both the posture and the articulated surfaces.
Artist & collection
