Saint John the Evangelist

The sensitivity of St. John’s face and the delicacy of his flowing beard indicate how carefully artist Benedetto da Maiano recorded observed details. This terracotta figure of St. John the Evangelist served as the model for a marble altar composition depicting the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she was to bear a child. John, a New Testament author, is depicted at the right as a reflective elder rather than the young disciple of Jesus.

Benedetto da Maiano made some minor changes to John’s figure when he produced the finished work in marble. Scholars debate whether the sculptor was better at handling terracotta or carving marble.