Property of The Bass, Miami Beach to benefit the John and Johanna Bass Art Acquisition Fund
Spanish, circa 1520
Saint James on Horseback
No reserve
Auction Closed
February 7, 08:37 PM GMT
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Property of The Bass, Miami Beach to benefit the John and Johanna Bass Art Acquisition Fund
Spanish, circa 1520
Saint James on Horseback
gilt and polychrome wood
height: 32 ¾ in.; 83.2 cm
width: 22 in.; 55.89 cm
John and Johanna Bass Collection, New York, until 1963;
Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, 1963.
Miami, Bass Museum of Art, Taplin 2012, 3 March - 14 October, 2012.
The image of Saint James on horseback in battle against the Moors, often referred to as James Matamoros, is rooted in the 9th century legend of the Apostle Saint James, who rode into battle, helping the Spanish to defeat the Moors in their campaign to reconquer Spain.
This depiction of Saint James as the brave warrior who conquered evil became popular in medieval Spain when Christian armies would allude to his heroic feats by shouting ¡Santiago, y cierra, España! ("St. James and strike for Spain") before charging into battle.