Saint John the Evangelist
late 17th century
Medium
Oak
Dimensions
Height: 18 in. (45.7 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
Flemish, Antwerp
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Martha M. Green, 1986
Accession Number
1986.157.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of late 17th-century Antwerp, a hub of Flemish Baroque artistry, Hendrik-Frans Vergen crafted this exquisite oak sculpture of *Saint John the Evangelist Standing just 18 inches tall, the figure captures the apostle—traditionally depicted as the author of the of John and the Book of Revelation—in a moment of contemplative devotion. Verbruggen, a master from the renowned Antwerp Guild of St. Luke, was celebrated for his intricate wooden carvings that adorned churches and altars across Flanders, blending dynamic poses with profound spiritual expression. Carved from oak, a du...