Thomas Ball, Saint John the Evangelist, 1875, marble, 46 7⁄8 x 17 1⁄2 x 19 1⁄4 in. (119.1 x 44.5 x 48.9 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Robert and Judith Bahssin, 1990.26
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Saint John the Evangelist
- Artist
- Date
- 1875
- Location
- Dimensions
- 46 7⁄8 x 17 1⁄2 x 19 1⁄4 in. (119.1 x 44.5 x 48.9 cm.)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Robert and Judith Bahssin
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- marble
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Dress — historic — classical dress
- Religion — saint — St. John
- Object Number
- 1990.26
Artwork Description
Saint John the Evangelist was one of the few allegorical sculptures that Thomas Ball made in his life. It was a private commission that Ball agreed to do partly because of his own deep religious faith. The idealized style and white marble present him as a holy, inspired man. Ball took great pride in this statue because his friend Hiram Powers, the most prominent and controversial American sculptor of the day, had said it was his finest work.
