Saint John the Evangelist

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Saint John the Evangelist

Place of Originpossibly Strasbourg, Alsace, France

Dateabout 1250

DimensionsH x W x D: 56 × 16 × 28 in. (142.2 × 40.6 × 71.1 cm)

Mediumpolychrome red sandstone

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1948.18

Not on View

Label TextThis figure probably represents one of Jesus’ apostles, likely Saint John the Evangelist, turning the page and reading from the open Gospel he wrote. The exaggerated features and focused concentration evoke the apostle’s visionary character. Medieval Christians believed he wrote the fourth Gospel of the Bible and the Book of Revelation, or Apocalypse of John, recording the harrowing vision of the end of the world. Although much of it has worn away, traces of pigment remain on the figure, suggesting the original colors of this Gothic ecclesiastical sculpture, although it probably was later repainted several times. The saint is dressed in a red, voluminous mantle over a simple, blue cote (long tunic) with a notched neckline. The gilded, open book displays a text in Gothic lettering, now too worn to decipher. Looking down at the viewer, the dramatic tilt of Saint John’s head suggests he was probably installed high on the outside of a church wall.Published ReferencesBorenius, T., "Auctions in London," Pantheon, vol. 1-2, Jan.-Dec., 1928, p. 322, repr. p. 326.

Noppen, J. G., "An Unknown Thirteenth-century Figure," Burlington Magazine, vol. LIII, 1928, pp. 250, 255, repr. p. 254 (as English ca. 1270).

Noppen, J. G., Letters, "An Unknown Thirteenth-century Figure," Burlington Magazine, vol. LX, 1932, p. 170 (as English (?) ca. 1270).

Noppen, J. G., "Illuminated Manuscripts," (mentioned) Burlington Magazine, vol. LXIV, February 1934, p. 70.

Noppen, J. G., "Mediaeval Sculpture at Burlington House," Apollo, February 1934, pp. 77-82, repr. p. 81.

"A Gothic St. John for Toledo Museum," Connoisseur, March 1949, pp. 44-45, repr. p. 44.

Rorimer, James J., "The Virgin from Strasbourg Cathedral," April 1949, Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, p. 227.

Riefstahl, Rudolph M., "Medieval Art," Toledo Museum News, New Series, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 8, repr. (also published as Medieval Art).

Williamson, Paul, Gothic Sculpture 1140-1300, New Haven, 1995, pp. 188, 283, no. 38.

Gillerman, Dorothy, ed., Gothic Sculpture in America, II: the Museums of the Midwest, Turnhout, Brepols, 2001, pp. 376-380, no. 269, repr. p. 377. [as from eastern France].

Exhibition HistoryLondon, Victoria & Albert Museum, Fitzhenry Collection loan, 1906-1913, no. 1951.

London, Grafton Art Treasures, 1928, no. 650 (catalogued as French; lent by R. Henniker-Heaton).

London, Burlington House, British Art, 1934, catalogue p. 255, (lent by Henniker-Heaton).

Comparative ReferencesSee also Knauth, J., "Der Lettner des Munsters...," Denkmalpflege, Berlin, IV, no. 13, Oct. 15, 1902. Cf. Reinhardt, Hans, "Le Jube de la Cathédrale de Strasbourg et ses Origines Rémoises," Bulletin de la Societe des Amis de la Cathédrale de Strasbourg, 2e Série, no. 6, 1951, p. 19 (no reference to TMA 1948.18). Cf. (All references in bibliography of report prepared by Millard F. Rogers, April 1959). Cf. Paris, Louvre, Cathédrales, 1962, no. 87 (one figure from Strasbourg choir screen; bibliographical refs. to choir screen).