One of the Apostles

The sculpture of one of the apostles from the Altar of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in St. Mary’s Basilica in Kraków depicts a figure in a dynamic and emotional pose. The figure shows a man with long, wavy hair and a thick beard, gazing upwards with an expression of deep contemplation or prayer.

The apostle is dressed in a long tunic, whose richly carved folds give it a realistic appearance. The tunic has shades of brown and gold (on the outside) and turquoise (on the inside), adding nobility and depth. The apostle’s left arm is bent and holds a censer, emphasizing the liturgical context and the apostle’s role in religious ceremonies. The right arm is lowered, giving the figure a natural sense of movement.

The apostle is depicted in a classical contrapposto pose, where the left leg is bent and extended forward, giving the figure dynamism and naturalness, allowing a realistic depiction of motion and rest. The left leg bears the body’s weight, evident in the tense muscles and foot positioning.

The sculpture stands out for its detailed rendering of the body’s anatomy, particularly visible in the legs of the figure. The feet, partially uncovered, firmly stand on the ground, giving the figure stability and a sense of being grounded in reality, despite its spiritual dimension.

The expression on the apostle’s face, full of emotion and focus, combined with the gestures of the hands and the dynamic folds of the robes, testifies to the masterful craftsmanship of Veit Stoss, who could capture both the physical and spiritual aspects of the depicted figures. This combination of realism and expression makes this sculpture not only a religious artifact but also a unique work of late medieval art.