Location
Slovenia, Slivnica pri Mariboru
Artwork
The sculpture of St John of Nepomuk from the Slivnica Mansion Park
Type
Sculpture
Dimensions
Height: 235 cm, width: 110 cm
Critical History
The statue of St John of Nepomuk from the Slivnica Mansion Park was published and attributed to Joseph Straub by Valentina Pavlič.1 Several characteristics, such as the creases and artificial fluttering-effect of the drapery as well as the face of the saint, suggests Joseph Straub`s style.
The statue represents the most common iconographic type of St John of Nepomuk (after the statue on Charles Bridge in Prague). The saint’s head is turned to the left and his gaze is fixed on a crucifix that rests in the crook of his left elbow. He is also wearing characteristic clothes: a rochet (with a high collar and buttons clearly visible on the neck) and a mozzetta cape trimmed with fur resembling ermine.
Pavlič proposed that the current location of the statue of St John of Nepomuk is not original. She suggested three locations, but the most appropriate seems to be near the bridge or even on the bridge over the Polana Stream in the village of Slivnica.
Construction / Execution
The statue stands on a pedestal, placed on a decorated stone block supported by a large base made of brick, which was added later. It is made from sandstone.
Components
- Sculpture
- Author: Joseph Straub (Wiesensteig 1712 – Maribor 1756)
- Technique(s): stone carving
- Material(s): sandstone
Comment
The exposed parts of the statue – the face, left arm and crucifix – are seriously damaged, mostly due to weather conditions. The palm of the right hand is missing as well as the upper part of the head. However, we can be sure that at one time there was a palm branch in the saint’s right hand. Observing the head of the saint, it is evident that he must have worn a hat. It was made from a separate piece of stone and then fixed to the head. It is likely that the hat fell off and was lost over the centuries. It is critical to preserve the statue, because currently it is at the mercy of inclement weather, causing decay or even destruction.
Images
- The statue of St John of Nepomuk (photo by Valentina Pavlič, 2016)
- The statue of St John of Nepomuk, detail (photo by Valentina Pavlič, 2016)
- The statue of St John of Nepomuk, detail (photo by Valentina Pavlič, 2016)
- The statue of St John of Nepomuk (photo by Valentina Pavlič, 2016)
Catalogue entry prepared by Valentina Pavlič
Recommended citation: Valentina Pavlič, The sculpture of St John of Nepomuk from the Slivnica Mansion Park, in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 31/10/2025) URL
