The Prophet Haggai

myminifactory

Giovanni Pisano created a groundbreaking facade for Siena Cathedral, featuring a series of imposing figures in arcades, with this fragment being part of the ensemble. The sculptor took into account that the figure would be placed high up on the church, carving it with striking boldness to ensure its visibility. The significance of the Siena statues in the history of sculpture is profound. The facade stands alone in Italy as an example of Gothic monumental sculpture fully integrated into a cohesive architectural plan, and although their inspiration originated from France, the statues adorning the facade between 1284 and 1295 are some of the most deeply personal and moving sculptures ever created. The statues for which Giovanni Pisano was either entirely or partially responsible were confined to the first register of the facade, depicting prophets and prophetesses with inscriptions related to the Virgin to whom the Cathedral is dedicated. The present piece can be confidently linked to the full-length figure of the prophet Haggai due to the scroll held in his hand. This work is the only sculpture firmly attributed to Giovanni Pisano outside Italy.