Silver Statuette of St. John, from the Wittenberg Reliquaries 1472 - 1553

This is a silver statuette of St. John, made by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Looking closely, we see how the linear quality of the silver gives the figure definition and form. The process, likely involving hammering and chasing the silver, would have required immense skill. The image’s stark contrast is a testament to the labor involved in its creation, which gives depth and weight to the garment worn by the statue, the grapes under his feet, and the cup he holds. It's easy to see the attention to detail; from the intricate carving of St. John's hair, to the snake in his cup, to the folds in his clothing, each line carries meaning. Cranach was a master of this technique, and used it to great effect in his religious imagery. By emphasizing the hand-made quality of the artwork, we come to appreciate how the production process itself imbues the work with cultural and social significance. This allows us to consider how traditions of craft and fine art intersect.