The Head of John the Baptist on a Platter
unknown
Basic information
- ID
- С-I-484
- Author
- unknown
- Name
- The Head of John the Baptist on a Platter
- Date of creation
- 18th c.
- Country
- Ukraine
- Technique
- carving polychrome
- Material
- wood
- Dimensions (height x width x depth, cm)
- 55 x 48 x 13
Additionally
- Type
- sculpture
- Genre
- religious
- Plot
- John the Baptist
- Provenance
- Received from the Lubomirski Museum
Information about author
Object description
The sculpture depicts the culmination of the biblical event when John the Baptist was beheaded by order of King Herod at the instigation of Herodias. The work is created using the technique of deep wood carving, with remnants of polychromy that have been significantly lost. The oval dish depicts the head of John the Baptist with his eyes closed. His expression is calm, symbolising the moment of death and eternal rest. The elongated oval of the face is framed by short strands of dark hair and beard. The textured features of the face, the simplicity of the forms, and the stern, almost ascetic expression combine to create a realistic portrayal that conveys deep spiritual meaning.
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
