Ligier Richier
, French, c.1500-1567
Title
Saint John the EvangelistDate1530s
MediumCarved limewood
Dimensions
151.3 x 48.5 x 53.5 cm
48.5 x 49 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1978 (Shaw Fund)
Object numberNGI.8247
DescriptionLigier Richier lived and worked in Saint-Mihiel in Lorraine. Records show that in 1560 he was amongst those who petitioned the Duke of Lorraine to practice the reformed Protestant religion. By 1564, he had moved to Geneva. A sculptor of religious imagery, he excelled in expressive depictions of anguished figures relating to the Crucifixion and deposition of Christ. The most famous of these is the Easter Sepulchre (1554–64), a life-size group for the Church of St Etienne, Saint-Mihiel. Richier typically worked in stone; however, these figures of the Virgin and St John the Evangelist are carved in wood. They were originally painted, and some traces of colour are still visible. The left hand of St John appears to have been replaced in modern wood. Richier has animated these sorrowful figures through their facial expressions, gestures and elongated draped garments. The clasped hands and contrapposto pose of the Virgin, as well as the heavenward gaze of St John, suggest that these sculptures were designed to be viewed as part of a larger group.
Exhibition HistoryTrove, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, 3 December 2014 - 8 March 2015
Label TextFrench sculptor Richier typically worked in stone; however, this figure of Saint John the Evangelist is carved in wood. The figure’s left hand appears to have been replaced in modern wood. The sculpture was originally painted, and some traces of colour are still visible. Richier animated the sorrowful figure through the facial expression, gesture and elongated draped garments. The heavenward gaze of Saint John suggests that this sculpture, and that of the Virgin, were designed to be viewed as part of a larger group.