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

This woodcut depicts St. John the Baptist, a key figure in Christian faith. Created by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a prominent artist of the German Renaissance, this work is part of a larger series of reliquaries from the Wittenberg Church. The detailed rendering of St. John's flowing robes and the intricate grapevine base, referencing John's wilderness imagery, showcase Cranach's mastery of woodcut technique. This artwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers insight into the religious devotion and artistic innovation of the 16th century.