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Saint John the Baptist and Saint Mary Magdalene

Juan de Juni1552 - 1570

Museo Nacional de Escultura

Museo Nacional de Escultura
Valladolid, Spain

These two figures made by Juni and that were part of the altarpiece ordered by Francisca de Villafane n 1552, are real master pieces, full of all the strength that this artist is capable to impress in the wood and they are made with a huge emotional load. The latter shows in the intense typical twisting movement of the clothes as well as in the abundance of them, in the labyrinth of pleats, and the facial expressions, flushed for Saint John and hurt in the repentant Magdalene. The image of Saint John, main character of the altarpiece and the figure that had to set the tone of the quality of the ensemble is in its placement and powerful anatomy, a real catalogue of strong lines that reminds inevitably, the Greek group of Laocoön. He is represented pointing to the Lamb with the text "Ecce Agnus Dei". The sculpture of Magdalene, holding the base of the perfume pot, instills through her stance all the beauty and sensual passion of a courtesan. The polychromy, made by Juan Tomas Celma in 1570, shows a refined repertoire.

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  • Title: Saint John the Baptist and Saint Mary Magdalene
  • Creator Lifespan: 1507 - 15077
  • Creator Nationality: French
  • Creator Gender: Male
  • Creator Death Place: Valladolid
  • Creator Birth Place: Joigny
  • Date Created: 1552 - 1570
  • place of origin: Monastery of San Benito el Real, Valladolid
  • Sculptor: Juan de Juni
  • Type: Sculpture
  • External Link: CERES
Museo Nacional de Escultura

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