Attributed to Roque Balduque (circa 1500 – Seville, 1561) “Saint John the Baptist” Carved, gilded, and polychromed wooden sculpture. Height: 64 cm. When analyzing and comparing our sculpture with other works by the artist, we find true stylistic similarities characteristic of his production, such as the arrangement and distinctive treatment of the folds in the drapery, the slightly inclined position of the figures’ heads, and the same morphology of their faces. Finally, the contrapposto, with one leg slightly bent, imparts movement and dynamism to the body. An interesting article by Carmen Álvarez Delgado entitled “Virgen con el Niño de Roque Balduque, siglo XVI. Su restauración y estudio técnico-científico” is published on the website Museosdeandalucia.es. Among other observations, it highlights that: “The importance of Balduque lies in the fact that he introduced a new aesthetic criterion in contrast to the established norms of Sevillian sculpture of the period. He initiated a departure from statism and strict verticality, suggesting instead an elegant and restrained movement, employing expressive devices that would be repeated throughout his production.” As for biographical information, the website of the Real Academia de la Historia states that Roque Balduque was a “Flemish artist, originally from the Dutch city of Bois-le-Duc, capital of North Brabant. In 1534 he is documented in Seville, where he married Francisca de Olivares; in 1545 he baptized his daughter Isabel, and in 1550 his slave Beatriz. He began his career as a stone carver, but after completing the decoration of Seville City Hall, he specialized in the construction of altarpieces and wooden sculptures, also producing models for liturgical silverwork. He worked for clients in Seville, Huelva, and Cádiz, and supplied the American market through the fleets to the Indies. His prestige occasionally led him to other regions and, between 1547 and 1551, he made several journeys to Extremadura, leaving works in Cáceres and Arroyomolinos de Montánchez. In 1561 he made his will, mentioning his brother Andrés de Odebelse, who resided in Cambrai. The portfolio of commissions remaining in his workshop at the time of his death was entrusted to his collaborator, the Dutchman Juan Giralte, who completed the altarpiece of the Conception for the parish church of Santa María in Guernica (Biscay). Meanwhile, the unfinished work on the high altarpiece of Seville Cathedral was entrusted by the cathedral chapter to Juan Bautista Vázquez the Elder, who completed the relief of the Flight into Egypt. His style moves between Gothic primitivism and the innovations of the Italian Quattrocento.”