2-739-579 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Saint John the Evangelist, 1450-1475. The saint holds the legendary chalice, a poisoned cup, from which emerges a dragon, representing the serpent (Satan), recalling the incident in which John was forced to drink poison to test the power of his faith. John survived the test unharmed. It has been suggested that this statuette derives from a large multitiered baptismal font with niche figures in the Church of Notre-Dame in the town of Hal.