German, Lower Rhine, probably Guelders, circa 1520

walnut, holding a book in his left hand, finely carved bifurcated beard and ringlets

Christie's London 8 December 1992

The present figure can be closely compared with a group of three apostle figures and a Christus Salvator in the Catherijne convent Museum, Utrecht, attributed to the Master van Elsloo, ca. 1510-1530. Note particularly the treatment of the ringlets and beard of St Matthew, and the heavy decorative folds of all of the figures, illustrated in Vlierden.

RELATED LITERATURE
M. van Vlierden, Hout- en steensculptur van museum Catarijne convent, ca. 1200-1600, Utrecht, 2004, pp. 358-359.