"St. John the Baptist. Europe, XVI century.

"St. John the Baptist. Europe, XVI century.
Carved wood.
It presents good general state of preservation, with small faults and superficial losses typical of its age.
Measurements: 28,5 x 7,5 x 6,5 cm.

Devotional wood carving representing Saint John the Baptist, fundamental figure of Christianity and precursor of Christ. The saint appears standing, on a small plinth, with the body wrapped in a mantle of dynamic folds and holding the lamb, iconographic attribute that alludes to the proclamation of Christ as Agnus Dei.

The carving stands out for the expressive treatment of the figure, especially visible in the bearded face, the wavy hair and the moving disposition of the cloths. The slightly turned posture and the advancement of one leg bring dynamism to the whole, distancing it from a strictly frontal composition and giving it a notable presence despite its reduced dimensions.

The formal language responds to the religious sculpture of the Renaissance, in which the representation of the saints combined narrative intention, devotional function and increasing attention to naturalism. The small scale of the piece allows us to think of its possible integration in an altarpiece, small altar, devotional chest or sculptural ensemble for private use.