Saint John the Evangelist

The sculpture of Saint John the Evangelist depicts a young man with wavy hair that freely falls onto his shoulders. His facial expression is full of emotion, suggesting contemplation or sadness, and his raised left hand appears to gesture or hold an invisible object.

The other hand is also visible and plays a significant role in the composition – it holds a fold of the cloak that seems to fall from the shoulder. This capture of movement adds dynamism and realism to the sculpture, highlighting Stoss’s skill in portraying the naturalness of human gestures.

The figure is dressed in a long tunic, intricately carved with folds that add dynamism to the sculpture. The tunic has rich colors, with accents of gold, red, and turquoise, which add majesty to it. The cloak draped over the shoulders hangs naturally, creating complex folds of fabric. The entire sculpture is characterized by precise carving, typical of Veit Stoss’s works, with attention to the smallest details, such as the facial expression, hand placement, and fabric folds. This emphasizes realism and meticulousness in depicting human anatomy.

The figure of the evangelist stands in a slight contrapposto, with the left foot forward, adding to its dynamism.