Saint John the Evangelist

This carved wood sculpture is a representation of Saint John the Evangelist from the late 15th or early 16th Century. It carries a girdle book, typically worn by monks, clergymen and aristocratic women at that time. These were small portable books whose leather binding continued loose below the cover of the book in a long, tapered tail. A large knot at the end, of long strands of leather woven together, could be tucked into one's belt or girdle at the waist, to carry the book comfortably. The book hung upside down so that when swung upwards it was easy to read. These books were usually religious: Book of Hours, chants or bible quotations. When the printing press was invented, these books started to disappear.
The sculpture arrived at La Casa del Libro with its first executive director, Elmer Adler. Adler found it in an antique shop and acquired it to use as the museum’s icon. Under Catholicism, Saint John the Evangelist is considered the protector of printers, bibliophiles, librarians, booksellers, editors, bookbinders, writers, illustrators, calligraphers, typographers, art dealers, and other arts and industries related to the book. All are celebrated arts at La Casa del Libro.
Curious facts: Elmer Adler was not Catholic. In the Library of Strahov Monastery in Prague there is a similar sculpture in polychrome wood.