French sculptor from the second half of the 17th century - Saint John the Evangelist

Fine reddish clay
Visible lacunae
H. 42 cm

This sculpture of great sobriety is the work of an artist who draws his inspiration from the repertoire of the Italian Renaissance and the century of Louis XIV. The figure is represented standing with an eagle at his feet, on a square base, leaning on his left leg with a slight "contraposto". He is dressed in a himation "à l'antique". The hair is composed of long wavy locks falling on the shoulders. The head presents particular proportions. Indeed, it is particularly developed in height, especially at the level of the forehead. This is probably due to a kind of optical correction in order to place the work high up, probably in a niche. One can then imagine the four evangelists spread out over a façade or the corners of a transept.
The color of the clay, reddish, may evoke certain works from the southwest of France, although this origin could not be confirmed.