The sculpture described here, carved from a block of Swiss pine in the early decades of the 17th century, depicts Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. The composition closely resembles Marcantonio Raimondi's engraving, which in the early 16th century depicted the Saint with his monastic habit, a pastoral staff, the bible in hand, and a demon at his feet held in chains. The sculpture is designed for a niche and therefore unfinished on the back. The standing saint is depicted in slight movement, with the open bible in his right hand and the beginning of the chain that holds the demon at his feet in the other; unfortunately, the chain is missing the central part but is completed by the collar, the demon is subdued by the Saint who rests a foot on it. Although the colors and gilding show gaps and soot coverage, we can see how the saint's complexion is rosy while the demon is reddish, almost brown, as it is exposed to the flames of hell. Noteworthy is the splendid garment of the Saint, which, although depicting a monastic habit, is lacquered in shades of red with golden embroidery inside and outside is gilded with bluish embroidery. The garment is no longer the poor one of the hermit but that of the saint in celestial glory who dresses in light in greater contrast with the figure of the demon.
Product Condition:
Product in good condition, with minor signs of wear. We try to present the actual condition as fully as possible with the photos. If some details are not clear from the photos, the description will prevail.
Work Dimensions (cm):
Height: 93
Width: 37
Depth: 24
ARARAR0296612
