Spanish, Castile, first quarter of the 16th century

Saint Stephen is here identified by the rough stones, the instruments of his martyrdom, placed on top the book in his left hand. The high collar that adorns his dalmatic was fashionable in Castile around the turn of the 16th century, indicating the present figure's origin in this region. This is underscored by its sculptor's apparent influence by one of the dominant masters of Castilian wood carving, Felipe Vigarny (circa 1475-1542). Vigarny's figures made for the chapel of the University of Salamanca in 1505 provide a precedent for the present figure's approach to limbs cut free from the body but anchored and supported by an attribute. Further comparison can be made with works by Juan de Valmaseda, one of Vigarny's closest followers; see, for example, his figure of Saint John the Evangelist carved in Palencia or Burgos around 1520 (op. cit., pp. 96-97, no. 9).

The ornate estofado decoration on the saint's garment probably dates to the late 16th or early 17th century and is applied directly onto what appears to be an earlier layer of gilding.

RELATED LITERATURE

S. L. Stratton, (ed.), Spanish Polychrome Sculpture in United States Collections, exh. cat. The Spanish Institute, New York, 1993