Swabian, late 15th century

standing in contraposto, high waisted robe, her cloak swept up over her left arm, her hair falling in long tresses down her back, left hand missing, attached to replaced base   

Lempertz, Cologne, 26^th Nov. 1953, lot 13;
Collection Brenno-Gereon Engel, Munich 

Julius Böhler, München, 1990

This charming diminutive figure of the Virgin can be closely compared with another, of similar size in the Preussicher Kulturbesitz, Berlin, attributed to a Strasbourg master of circa 1480 and illustrated by Krohm. The movement and detailed treatment of the drapery and the hair are ultimately inspired by Niclaus Gerhaert von Leyden whose work was to have such a profound influence on Upper Rhenish sculpture of the late 15th century, most notably Michael Erhart and his circle. Compare the present work with the seated figure of the Virgin and Child tentatively attributed to Erhart and illustrated by Krohm.

RELATED LITERATURE
Krohm, pp.109-128