Figure of Saint Benedict c. 18th century

Joseph Anton Feuchtmayer created this limewood sculpture of Saint Benedict, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The figure is rendered with a striking interplay of vertical and diagonal lines, a composition that immediately draws the eye upwards along the saint's body, culminating in his gaze towards the heavens. Notice how Feuchtmayer employs elongated forms and dynamic drapery, imbuing the figure with a sense of upward movement. The texture of the limewood is integral to the sculpture’s aesthetic, with the carving marks and grain enhancing the tactile quality of the robes. The Baroque period, during which Feuchtmayer was working, favoured the use of art to create a direct and emotional connection with the viewer. This sculpture is no exception. The upward tilt of the head and the swirling folds of the fabric can be interpreted as devices to evoke a feeling of spiritual transcendence, engaging the viewer in a dialogue about faith and the divine. Consider the enduring dialogue between form and feeling, and how Feuchtmayer’s treatment invites us to reconsider the boundaries between the earthly and the spiritual.