Where Is Saint John the Baptist? Museum Location

Q: Why is a wooden sculpture painted?

In 17th-century Spain, polychromed wood sculpture was the dominant form. The carver and painter were separate specialists. Montañés carved the figure, then a trained painter applied flesh tones, gilding, and decorative patterns to bring it to life.

Q: Where did this originally come from?

The Sevillian Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in Spain, which was suppressed in 1837. The Met acquired it in 1963.

Juan Martínez Montañés carved this polychromed wood figure around 1620-1630. It was called "the most beautiful figure of Saint John the Baptist ever made" by Montañés in an 1844 account. He was arguably Spain's greatest sculptor of the first half of the 17th century.

In the Spanish tradition, the sculptor and painter were different specialists. Montañés carved the figure from wood, and a separate artist applied the polychrome decoration (paint and gilding). A small hole in the base suggests a missing attribute, likely a banner or the Lamb of God. The figure originally came from the Sevillian Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, suppressed in 1837.

It stands 60 5/8 x 29 5/8 x 27 5/8 inches and was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1963.

In 17th-century Spain, polychromed wood sculpture was the dominant form. The carver and painter were separate specialists. Montañés carved the figure, then a trained painter applied flesh tones, gilding, and decorative patterns to bring it to life.

The Sevillian Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in Spain, which was suppressed in 1837. The Met acquired it in 1963.

Spain's greatest sculptor of the early 17th century. He worked in Seville and specialized in polychromed wood religious figures. His works were so lifelike that contemporaries said they appeared to breathe.

Saint John the Baptist

Details

Where to See It

The Artist

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