Lectern for the Reading of the Gospels with the Eagle of Saint John the Evangelist 1301

Giovanni Pisano's "Lectern for the Reading of the Gospels with the Eagle of Saint John the Evangelist," a white marble sculpture created in 1301, showcases the artist's masterful realism and attention to detail. The eagle, a symbol of Saint John the Evangelist, stands majestically with its wings spread wide, its feathers meticulously carved to create a lifelike appearance. The sculpture served as a lectern in a church, providing a platform for the reading of the Gospels. This work, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, exemplifies Pisano's transition from the Gothic style towards a more naturalistic approach, drawing inspiration from classical Roman sculpture.