Saint John the Evangelist

The saint stands in a slight contrapposto (on his right leg), facing the viewer. His right hand is bent at the elbow and raised in front of him, with the fist clenched, while in his left hand he holds a chalice.

He has a youthful face with distinct features: prominent jawbones, a narrow, slightly hooked nose, and wide-set eyes under gentle brow arches. His long hair is swept back from a high forehead, with wide, wavy strands falling over his shoulders.

The inner tunic is visible in the sleeves with rolled-up cuffs, a large collar, and vertical folds below the knees reaching his bare feet. Over it, he wears a cloak that covers his shoulders and legs, wrapped around his left arm and draped across the right one.

Baroque Stalls

The Baroque oak stalls from 1662–1665, created by Bavarian artists Franz Motsch and Josef Zeller, originate from St. Vincent’s Church in Wrocław, belonging to the Norbertine monastery. Their backs are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Saint Norbert of Xanten (1082–1134), the founder of the order in Prémontré near Laon, France.

The cycle of these depictions begins on the southeast side and features the coat of arms of Abbot Matthäus Paul, who brought the mentioned artists to Wrocław. Between the reliefs are figures of Apostles, Evangelists, and Church Fathers, topped with sculptures of angels with the instruments of the Passion of Christ.