Lot 502
European, likely of Italy, 17th-18th c. CE, Baroque Style. This lovely group of carved polychrome saints created in the animated Baroque style makes for an ensemble that is quite dramatic in keeping with this period of the history of art. During the Counter-Reformation the church enlisted the power of visual culture in order to convert non-believers. Descriptions Clockwise from left most figure: The portrayal of Saint Francis is characteristically expressive in both gesture and facial expression. Infamous for preaching to the birds, his left hand is raised in position for a feathered friend to perch. St. Francis made it his mission to invoke all birds, animals, and reptiles to praise and love their Creator. 8 1/4"T; Matthew the Apostle is represented as a winged man. Note how the artisan of this sculpture adeptly formed the figure's cloak. Upon close observation, the silhouette of the cloak behind his body resembles the shape of a pair of wings signifying St. Matthew. 8 ¼"T (CAS1050). Matthew the Apostle is characteristically represented as a winged man. Upon close observation, the silhouette of the cloak behind this figurine's body is in the shape of a pair of wings signifying Matthew. Pausing for a moment, his entranced state suggests that the saint is experiencing a vision. Such imagery renditions would have endeared the Church to followers during the period of the Counter Reformation. 8 3/4"T (CAS1053). This representation resembles the young Saint John given his beardless adolescent appearance. He is elegantly posed in an orant gesture. The deep jewel tones, emotive gesturing, and swirling drapery are characteristic of the Baroque era. The piece's sense of movement begs the viewer's gaze to move around the corpus of the figure. In the period of the Counter-Reformation, the Church used art to combat Martin Luther and gain followers. 8 3/4"T (CAS1054). Paul the Apostle is portrayed in red and green, holding the gospel he introduced to the first century world. Paul is typically depicted with brown hair and a beard that tapers to a point or two as we see here. Note how he is balding with a high forehead signifying his great wisdom and learning. Thirteen books of the First Testament are attributed to Paul and the people he influenced, and approximately half of the Acts of the Apostles addresses Paul and his works. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus when he reported to have experienced a vision of the resurrected Jesus was contemporaneously captured by the brush of Baroque painter Caravaggio. 8 1/4"T (CAS1052). St. John is usually shown as a beardless brown-haired youth, barely more than sixteen years of age. John is the endearing apostle who rested upon the breast of Christ during the Last Supper. The swirling draperies, theatrical gesture, and implied movement of the figure are characteristic of the Baroque era. 8 ¾"T (CAS1051) Provenance: Ex-Catherine Sobredo Collection.
- Condition: Varying states of loss to hands as shown. Some wear of paint surface as shown; however, all still show vivid hues. Holes drilled on backs of pieces for suspension. Good to excellent condition
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |