Südtirol around 1490/1500
A carved limewood figure of St Stephen, South Tyrol, around 1490/1500
Carved three-quarters in the round, the reverse flattened and deeply hollowed out. With partially overpainted, older polychromy. Finely carved full-figure depiction of the young martyr, designed for a frontal viewpoint, carrying stones as an identifying attribute in his left hand. The work belongs to a group of sculptures from the closer circle of the artist Hans Klocker of Brixen. These pieces differ from the works of Hans Klocker, however, in their use of more slender proportions and narrow heads, although the depiction of the drapery corresponds to models produced in Klocker's studio. Closely related are the shrine figures from the altar dated 1496 in the Museés Royaux d´Art et d´Histoire in Brussels. According to Albrecht Miller, it can be assumed that the creator of this figure of St. Stephan was active in Hans Klocker's workshop for some time.
The formerly separately attached right hand lost. Wear with minor losses. Height 127 cm.
Certificate
Dr. Albrecht Miller, Ottobrunn 26.2.2023.
Provenance
Collection of Friedrich Lippmann, Berlin. - His sale at Rudolph Lepke, Berlin 26.11.1912, lot 119, plate 44 (as Michael Pacher). - German collection.
Literature
For the comparable sculpture in Brussels, see Theodor Müller: Gotische Skulptur in Tirol, Bozen 1976, p. 32, pl. 132-133.
Exhibitions
Innsbruck 1902.