Juan Martínez Montañés, Saint John the Baptist, c. 1620-30, polychromed and gilded wood, 154 x 75.2 x 70.2 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) A conversation between Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Steven Zucker
Oh, this immediately does my heart so much good, I can't even tell you. I love John the Baptist dearly and to see him in the Baroque style looking like the OG he is means so much to me. Today is about his cousin, whose sandals he said he was unworthy to tie, but I still appreciate this underdog very much. The detail about rubbing / touching his feet impressed me, though. I wouldn't get to the point of revering him, I just have a deep respect and fondness of him. Anyway, this is amazing. I'm not used to Baroque sculpture in general, much less in color. To know that all of this is all made of wood is mind-blowing - the hair, clothing, skin, and features all look as they ought. To know that more than one artist participated in making that possible just adds to the wonder of it. It really is something.
Another great video! I live just across Central Park and just saw this but had no idea. You have prompted a trip back for sure (with mask of course) You both are fabulous and wish i could view all art with you in my ear prior! Bravi!
I’m curious as to why wood became so popular for sculptures in Spain. The only explanation I’m finding is that it’s a “warmer material than stone”. Was there something else driving this trend?
Spaniards always did their own way, almost stubbornly. While Europe got into Italian piano, and cello for example, Spaniards devoted themselves to classical guitar, organs and vihuelas. Same for sculpture, I think the use of wood lies in the same reason. Spanish sculpture had little or null foreign/Italian influence and, the use of wood followed the Spanish tradition . Also the themes were mostly religious, It was an alive art also seen in Easter processions. It is only a Guess, though. Cheers.
Beautiful Carving! Some thoughts - Would 'Juan Martinez Montanes' translate as 'John, son of Mars, or Martin, from the Mountain? The statue has a chin tuft like a ram, and the planet of Aries - the ram - is Mars. He is also wearing a sheepskin. His foot and left hand are leaning upon a rock - the mountain? And his right hand is pointing left and up to the mountain? His robe would suggest he is 'high-born' but he likely is a shepherd, thus the sheepskin; and the robe would be a tapestry to shield from the cold and double up as a bivouac. Perhaps this is a self-portrait, or of a brother, but given the name of J.B. by, or for, his sponsor, the church? J.B. was known as an older man, a High Priest who initiated Jesus; he typically would have carried a staff and worn white robes. Carved in 'living wood', rather than 'set in stone', suggests this could be a living man, not the saint.
In the Spanish world, people have two last names. So in this case, Martínez and Montañés are basically the artist’s last names. Not sure if this is true, but I understand Martínez basically comes from the Spanish name “Martín” just like Rodríguez basically comes from the name “Rodrigo” González from “Gonzálo” Alejándrez from “Alejandro” etc. As for the second last name, I’m not quite sure. Your suggestion makes sense because it does sound like something referring to a mountain. I’m a native speaker of Spanish, so to me, this word really seems to indicate an adjective used for a person who has some sort of connection to a mountain (like someone who basically “climbs mountains” or someone who “lives by the mountains” or “by a mountain” ). In any case, language may not always be simple, but it’s always fun to explore. 😊
