The Frits Philips Collection

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Lot 476
  • 476

A polychrome lindenwood group of the Virgin and Child, Upper Rhine circa 1550-1570

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 EUR
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Description

  • height 52cm
from an Adoration group, the young virgin, her hands clasped in prayer, kneeling before the Infant Christ lying on drapery before her knees

Literature

Related Literature:
Spaetgotik am Oberrhein 1970, nos. 2, 3, 5
Rijksmuseum 1973, no. 789

Catalogue Note

This very fine group exemplifies the stylistic change that took place in the Alsace region from 1450-70. The so-called 'weiche Stil' of the Parlers, established around 1400 gave way a sober realism emanating from the Netherlands before the middle of the 15th century. In the Alsace region copper engravings by the Master E.S. illustrate both this change and the Netherlandish influence felt at this time. The brief stay of Niclaus Gerhaert from Leiden in Strasburg (1463-1467) exerted great influence on sculpture.
The exhibition catalogue SpÃĪtgotik am Oberrhein illustrates several sculptures closely related to the present group (op.cit. nos. 2, 3 and 5). The last, a kneeling Madonna carved of walnut has been made in the middle of the 15th century. Indicative of the close stylistic relationship between the Netherlands and the Upper Rhine is the description as Niederlande oder Oberrhein. For the present group an origin around Strasburg is preferred. Another, complete Nativity group is preserved at the Rijksmuseum, there described as Alsace, circa 1485 (op.cit. no. 789).