A Magnificent Standing Female Saint. High Gothic circa 1420/30

Wood

This magnificent polychrome wood sculpture represents a female saint embodying the absolute pinnacle of the International Gothic period known as the Soft Style or Weicher Stil dating to approximately 1420 1430 the figure is a superlative example of the celebrated Schöne S-Form or S-curve posture where the body is elegantly arched to create a sense of ethereal grace and courtly sophistication that transcends the earthly realm she is depicted wearing an intricate golden crown over a delicate translucent veil her youthful face rendered with a serene idealized expression characterized by high cheekbones and heavy lidded eyes reflecting the spiritual calm of the divine the virtuosity of the unknown master is particularly evident in the complex and voluminous arrangement of the drapery where deep cascading folds and soft bowl shaped depressions create a sophisticated play of light and shadow while retaining a fluid rhythmic movement the original polychromy and extensive gilding on the brocade robes suggest a saint of high noble status possibly Saint Catherine or Saint Barbara of significant technical and historical interest is the traditional hollowed out back of the sculpture a characteristic feature of large 15th century wood carvings designed to prevent the material from cracking due to internal tension and to facilitate its placement within a grand winged altarpiece standing at an impressive height of 102 cm this sculpture remains an exceptional survival of early 15th century .Height 102 cm