French, Lorraine, Nancy or Bar-le-Duc / c. 1500
Saint John the Baptist
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Saint John the Baptist as sculpture (French, Lorraine, Nancy or Bar-le-Duc · c. 1500).
St. John the Baptist holds a book and a lamb, referencing his description of Christ as "the lamb of God."
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as Tonnerre limestone and credits Jan Crocq (Netherlandish, act. 1486–1510).
The museum's collection notes: John the Baptist was one of the most beloved and widely venerated saints of the Middle Ages. He is depicted here wearing his traditional camel hair fleece beneath a luxuriant outer mantle. The sculpture is attributed to Jan Crocq, a Netherlandish artist active at the court of René II, Duke of Lorraine at Nancy from 1486 to 1510, and noted for his naturalistic treatment of hair and costume.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtSaint John the BaptistOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.