Saints John @ The Copenhagen Statens Museum for Kunst, 2025 - A Critical Review
As you roam through the various second floor galleries of European art from 1300 – 1800 at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, you will find more John’s represented in concentrated clusters than I can visually represent on any social media platform. In my continuing series on the symbolism and importance of the Saints John characters in medieval and Renaissance art, I have selected a few of my favorite works that are highlighted in this collection.
Some of these artworks depict the child Baptist playing with the child Jesus, even though the Bible doesn’t describe this. Though popularized by artists in the Netherlands and Germany during the 16th century, the invented motif was most commonly depicted in Florence. Following the city’s conversion to Christianity in the 6th & 7th century Lombard period, Florence replaced the tutelary Pagan deity Mars, with St. John the Baptist as its patron saint. So, it is there in “La Bella” that you will find a special affinity for John who claimed to not be worthy to untie Jesus sandals. Other historical details of note include his wardrobe depictions as something closer to medieval shaggy fur cloaks or hairy caveman style over the shoulder tunics than the camel hair described in the gospels. I suppose that could mean just about anything but most importantly it reflects how difficult it was for artists of the time to imagine the fashion sensibilities of desert ascetics in the Roman occupied Palestine of century number one.
As for John the Evangelist, or synonymously John of Patmos, there are not as many images of him. Though of the few that do depict the apocalyptic bible closer, he is easily recognizable as the disciple without a beard & closely associated with his eagle symbol. The lack of beard makes him stand out like a sore thumb but can be confusing sometimes because especially in Byzantine painting, but also in Leonardo DaVinci’s Last Supper, he can often be mistaken for a woman. Sometimes even the Virgin Mary or Mary Magdalene in Crucifixion scenes. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Depictions of the eagle often represent divine insight & the ability to look directly at the sun. Because of the unique nature of his intimate & beloved relationship with Jesus, this symbolism aligns well with theological depth & focus on the Christ’s illuminated & perceived divine nature. We still use the term “eagle eyes” today to describe someone who can see valuable insights in the material nature of things that most regular folks overlook.
Overall, the Saints John Collection at the Copenhagen SMK is stunning, as is the rest of the collection. They even have a Bosch painting of Jesus upturning the money lenders table in the 2nd temple & alone is possibly worth a trip across the Atlantic to go see. While your there go see the temporary exhibit of Michelangelo’s plaster sculptures while they are on view. SMK owns the world’s largest collection of reproductions of Michelangelo plaster casts and oh boy, they are really showing off the goods in this exhibit on view through August 31st, 2025.
SMK Saints John, 5 Stars
