Workshop of the Master of Seeon (possibly Hanns Sweicker) German, Upper Bavaria, circa 1440-1450

by repute Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich
with Julius Böhler, Munich, 21 June 1965

There is non-active worming to the wood throughout. The worming has resulted in losses, including to the base, particularly at the back, and to Christ's proper left foot. Christ's proper left hand is lost and there are small losses to the fingers on the proper right hand. There is stable splitting to the wood throughout consistent with material, particularly to the Virgin's headdress and drapery; there are two large splits to the centre of the group running up from the bottom. There are two plugs to the top of the Virgin's head. There is a restored section to the right side of the base at the back, and there are one or two smaller areas of restoration. There are a few holes to the underside. Traces of original polychromy survive. There is an undecipherable stamp to the underside.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Even though few survive, there seems to have been a healthy demand for highly detailed small scale sculptures in the International Gothic style. Several major museums possess small wood standing Madonnas from Paris or Cologne (e.g. MAK, Cologne, inv. nos. A1154 and 72) and a number of small alabaster Pietàs attributed to the Master of Rimini have appeared on the market recently (see Sotheby’s London, 3 July 2012, lot 37). This small wood Pietà in the Beautiful Style, however, seems to be unique. The attention to naturalistic detail, small proportions of the heads and bodies, and the Virgin’s level knees covered with regular folds are similar to the large scale enthroned Madonnas from the cricle of the Master of Seeon. The name derives from the abbey from which his masterpiece, an Enthroned Madonna and Child, now in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich (inv. no. MA1126), was taken. It has been recently suggested that the sculptor's name was Hanns Sweicker.

RELATED LITERATURE
D. Grossmann, ‘Der Meister von Seeon’, Marburger Jahrbuch für Kunstwissenschaft, 19, 1974, p. 103; R. Suckale (ed.), Schöne Madonnen am Rhein, exh. cat. LVR-Landesmuseums, Bonn, 2009, p. 205, nos. 36-37