"Saint John the Evangelist" polychrome wooden sculpture 13th century SOLD

Saint John the Evangelist ------ Medieval polychrome wooden sculpture ----- Franco-Hispanic sculptor ----- Provenance: Spain, Pyrenean area ----- Period: end of the 13th century ------ Carved and painted walnut wood ------- Height 68, width 20, depth 12 ------ Intact and without alterations. ------- Most of the surface retains the original polychromy. ------ Splendid wooden sculpture depicting the bust of Saint John the Apostle with the Gospel. --------- Important historical and artistic document, it represents in the best way the first signs of the rebirth of art after the darkest years of the Middle Ages. -------- We are towards the end of the 13th century in the full Romanesque period and despite the evident simplicity of realization, the work expresses incredible strength and a refined stylistic purity. -------- The journey that will lead in the following centuries to the splendors of the Renaissance, passing through the important and surprising lesson of Gothic art, is about to begin. ---------- The presence of almost all of the original polychromy is exceptional, allowing a complete reading of the work, and to fully grasp its artistic and spiritual message. ---------- The wooden essence of the sculpture is absolutely intact, with a still solid and compact consistency.