High relief panel depicting 'Saint Barbara'

Southern France, 16th-17th century

Polychrome carved wood with traces of gilding

64 x 32 cm.

(good condition, with minor missing and cracks, scattered retouches)

This wooden high relief made between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries depicts Saint Barbara, elegantly dressed in a red gown covered by a cloak with gold borders and tied around the neck by a jeweled choker embellished with pearls, the same ones we find placed in her hair to keep it gathered.

The Saint, portrayed full-length in a solemn pose, shows her iconographic attributes: with her left hand she holds the palm of martyrdom, then the sword, the weapon with which she was killed, and of course the tower where she was locked up, painted on the right, the most common and significant symbol.

The quality of the carving is very good, particularly in the draperies of the dress, which descend richly over the figure, increasing its royalty, giving the work great merit and character.

Regarding the provenance and style of the carving, we can place this high relief in the sculptural production of Northern France, where Spanish inflections are present, with a language that, still archaic, is full of expressive force and inspired by the principles of Italian Renaissance Mannerism.

Consider that the 16th century saw a dense network of cultural exchanges between France, Italy and Spain; in particular, Italian artists came to France, called by aristocratic patrons because of the prestige now recognized for Renaissance art, especially Tuscan, but also Spanish artists.

In particular, the stylistic models of the work refer to the sculpture that developed in that territorial air between southern France to the Pyrenees and the Catalan region, an area where many workshops of master sculptors were active.

The excellent state of preservation of the wooden support, with some missings and small color falls, allow its quality to be fully appreciated, with still traces of the polychromy and gilding.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The pair of works is sold accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organize the transportation of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

You can also see the sculptures in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be glad to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Please contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

In case the work is purchased by non-Italian clients, it will be necessary to obtain an export permit, which takes about 10 to 20 days; our gallery will take care of the whole phase until it is obtained. All costs of this operation are included.

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