The Evangelist, accompanied by his symbol, the eagle, displays the opening text of his gospel. The deep layering of his tunic folds adds life and vigor to the Classical drapery forms. The roughly lettered inscription on the upper border, added at an early date, translates: "The word of John soars to heaven like an eagle." This plaque once was thought to be from a book cover, but it is now argued that this panel and three more, which represent the other authors of the Gospels, formed the wings of a triptych flanking an image of Christ in the central panel.
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Artwork Details
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Title:Plaque with Saint John the Evangelist
Date:early 9th century
Geography:Made in Aachen, Germany
Culture:Carolingian
Medium:Elephant ivory
Dimensions:Overall: 7 3/16 x 3 11/16 x 1/4 in. (18.3 x 9.4 x 0.7 cm)
Classification:Ivories-Elephant
Credit Line:The Cloisters Collection, 1977
Accession Number:1977.421
Inscription: (along top of plaque): MORE VOLANS AQVIL[A]E VERBVM PETIT ASTRA IOHAN[N]I[S] (flying in the manner of an eagle, the Word of John seeks the heavens [Sedulius, Carmen Paschale, Book 1, Line 358]
(on pages of open codex): IN PR / INCI / PIO E / RAT / VER / BVM (in the beginning there was the Word [John 1:1])
C. Cain, London (sold 1977) ; [ Sotheby's, London (December 15, 1977, no. 23)]
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