Divine Election

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Mark 6:14-29

Saint John

RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Tilman

circa 1490

Franconia

Sold at Sothebys auction 2013

A South German Limewood* Figure of Saint John, from the Workshop of Tilman Riemenschneider (1460-1531), Circa 1490, Franconia

CATALOGUE NOTE

Tilman Riemenschneider’s unique sculptural vocabulary is clearly recognizable in the carving of this poignant figure of the grieving Saint John. Arguably the preeminent medieval German sculptor, his distinctive manner of representing facial features (almond-shaped, down-turned eyes emphasized with thin lines on the lids, aquiline nose, diminutive, pursed lips and dimpled, pointed chin) combined with the authentic treatment of the skin incised with fine creases, are all a leitmotif of Riemenschneider's distinctive style of carving. The combination of compositional details, including the multiple diagonals created by deep folds in John’s mantle, the gentle tilt of the Saint's head, the shift of weight to his left leg, and the use of opulent, open curls of hair framing his youthful visage create a sense of sculptural mass and movement.