John the Baptist

The sculptural representation of John the Baptist harmonises iconographic traditions with the lively plastic language of contemporary carving. Presented frontally in a contrapposto stance, the figure of the saint is interpreted in accordance with the traditional iconography of the image. The Baptist is depicted full-length, captured in a calm, somewhat free movement: his left foot is brought forward, imbuing a sense of stepping, while his torso is slightly curved, filling the image with a natural, restrained dynamism. A certain restlessness is introduced by the expressive strands of thick hair cascading down his shoulders in turbulent waves. The elongated face, prominent cheekbones, hollow cheeks, and long, split beard underscore the ascetic, somewhat austere expression of the hermit-preacher.
The saint's wrap-around garment, belted at the waist and featuring a large collar adorned with a wavy carved motif, stylistically represents the "hairshirt" – a camel-hair garment that serves as an essential attribute of the Baptist's eremitic life. John's attire is modelled with shallow, vigorously carved folds that create an expressive rhythm of diagonal, almost Baroque-style restless lines. In its treatment of volume and plastic expressiveness, yet paired with a certain static weightiness of stance, the sculptural image combines the statuesqueness of composition inherited from the Late Gothic tradition with a desire for emotional eloquence. The sculpture has sustained significant losses to both individual components and its surface layer. Nevertheless, the structural integrity of the artwork and the expressiveness of the carving remain largely intact, allowing for a complete reading of the artist's intent and the plastic execution of the image.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery