Saint John the Baptiste in limestone - Burgundy, 15th century

This Saint John the Baptist is a precious testament to the flourishing of artistic production in Burgundy during the 15th century, fueled by the lavish patronage of the Dukes of Burgundy and their courts. In a region then at the height of its political and economic power, local workshops competed in virtuosity to create religious works intended to adorn churches, convents, and private chapels.

Our sculpture is one such example. Saint John the Baptist is depicted in a solemn pose, wearing his traditional camel-skin garment, finely carved from Tonnerre stone, a material typical of the region. This distinctive attire alludes to the saint’s ascetic life in the desert, as recounted in the Gospels. The texture of the skin, rendered with remarkable precision, contrasts with the partial nudity of his legs, enhancing the expressive power of the figure. In his left hand, he holds the Lamb of God resting on a book, an attribute that allows for unmistakable identification. His solemn, contemplative face, framed by a long, intricately detailed beard, conveys the spiritual intensity characteristic of Burgundian art of this period.

In certain respects, this work resembles the Saint John the Baptist from Montmorot, now housed in the Louvre: it shares the same naturalistic treatment of the camel skin and, with equal boldness, reveals the naked legs of the ascetic. Here, however, the saint’s free leg forms a subtle contrapposto, introducing a new fluidity to the composition and hinting at Renaissance ideals.

Thus, this sculpture exemplifies not only the technical excellence of regional workshops but also their ability to combine spiritual depth with formal innovation.