Boy Saint John
15th–16th century
Medium
Terracotta, enamelled and painted
Dimensions
Height: 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
Italian, Florence
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.1408
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the heart of Renaissance Florence, Giovanni della Robbia crafted *Boy Saint John* during the late 15th or early 16th century, his family's renowned workshop tradition. The Della Robbias, led by Luca, Andrea, and Giovanni, revolutionized sculpture with their signature tin-glazed terracotta, blending the durability of clay with the luminosity of colorful enamels. This small-scale figure (just 14⅜ inches tall) depicts the young Saint John the Baptist, Florence's patron saint, symbolizing innocence, prophecy, and devotion—a popular motif for private chapels and homes. The artwork's medium is k...