Carolingian / Plaque with Saint John the Evangelist / early 9th century

Carolingian
Plaque with Saint John the Evangelist
early 9th century
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Creator Nationality: European; Carolignian
Creator Name-CRT: Carolingian
Title: Plaque with Saint John the Evangelist
View: Full View
Creation Start Date: 800
Creation End Date: 833
Creation Date: early 9th century
Object Type: Sculpture
Classification Term: Ivories
Materials and Techniques: Elephant ivory
Dimensions: 7 3/16 x 3 3/4 in. (18.3 x 9.5 cm)
AMICA Contributor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 1977.421
Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1977
Rights: http://www.metmuseum.org/
Context:

Until 1977, when it appeared at a London auction, this ivory from the Carolingian "Renaissance" was unknown. Carved in high relief, the frontally enthroned Evangelist displays his Gospel with the opening phrase IN PRINCI / PIO ERAT / VERBVM ("In the beginning was the Word" [John 1:1]. The arch, with its rich acanthus decoration, is supported by elaborate columns and encloses John's symbol, the eagle, which is directly above him. The entire composition is framed by a simple inscribed border. The text of this inscription is based on a line from the "Carmen Paschale," a poem by the fifth-century Christian writer Sedulius.

Among the remarkable features of this ivory are John's loose, classical pallium and mantle, whose calligraphic treatment and plasticity verge on pure fantasy. This tendency toward a sumptuous ornamental effect, in which the abundant drapery patterns and textures take on a life of their own, becomes a characteristic of several ivories of the Court School of Charlemagne (r. 768-814).

Artistically, these ivories are very close to the manuscripts produced in Aachen for the court of Charlemagne; this resemblance suggests that they probably were carved there. Some scholars have maintained that some of these ivories may date into the reign of his successor, Louis the Pious (814-840).

AMICA ID: MMA_.1977.421
AMICA Library Year: 2000
Media Metadata Rights: Copyright The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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