17th Century St. Paul Sculpture Polychrome and Gilded Wood

About the Item

17th century. St. Paul Polychrome and gilded wood, 130 x 66 cm The sculpture analyzed here shows a strong plastic and volumetric vigor that gives a sense of immediate naturalism: the pronounced drapery of the garments, the torsion of the body, the careful investigation of the facial features underline this aspect, linked to the post-Tridentine dictates of sacred vaulted images. to touch the soul of the faithful with immediacy and decorum. The physical strength is reflected in the moral height of this Saint Paul, with a face absorbed in a profound meditation which is then projected into the wrinkled forehead. Songs of technical virtuosity by the seventeenth-century sculptor who worked here are evident in the wavy rendering of his thick beard and curly hair, rendered with calligraphic attention. The apostle highlights the usual attributes of the sword, with which he was martyred and, as the author of the Epistles, of the book that she supports under the lively red dress. The ajar mouth and the laying of the head bent downwards denote the intent of the sculptor to render the apostle with extreme naturalism, far from any classicist idealization. The golden halo that surrounds the head of this preacher, born in Tarsus, in Asia Minor but of Roman citizenship, around 10 AD, has been elaborated and decorated in several registers, represented here with undeniable effectiveness and immediacy. The work carried out at the end of the sixteenth century was enriched in the seventeenth century in the part of the extrados of the arch with leaf decorations with rosettes in the center. far from any classicist idealization. The golden halo that surrounds the head of this preacher, born in Tarsus, in Asia Minor but of Roman citizenship, around 10 AD, has been elaborated and decorated in several registers, represented here with undeniable effectiveness and immediacy. The work carried out at the end of the sixteenth century was enriched in the seventeenth century in the part of the extrados of the arch with leaf decorations with rosettes in the center. far from any classicist idealization. The golden halo that surrounds the head of this preacher, born in Tarsus, in Asia Minor but of Roman citizenship, around 10 AD, has been elaborated and decorated in several registers, represented here with undeniable effectiveness and immediacy. The work carried out at the end of the sixteenth century was enriched in the seventeenth century in the part of the extrados of the arch with leaf decorations with rosettes in the center.

Dimensions:

Height: 51.19 in (130 cm)Width: 25.99 in (66 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Wood,Gilt,Polished,Polychromed

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

17th Century

Date of Manufacture:

17th Century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.