.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The present lot is a magnificent example of mid-18th century German fruitwood carving paying homage to a much-revered subject in European Christian art. Intricately carved and on a highly intimate scale, the artist demonstrates his ability to carve with much refinement while also being able to create a very monumental composition.
Although an attribution to a specific artist has not yet proved possible, it shares some qualities with a similarly dated ivory group of St. John Nepomuk by H. W. Schröder in the Reiner Winkler collection (Theuerkauff, loc. cit.), which shows a similar attention to the pyramidal form of the composition and to the dynamic interaction of the figures. Additional details such as St. John's contrapposto and facial features, not to mention the carved wings and the uplifted foot of one of the putti demonstrates a notable closeness to the figure of St. Michael.
Although an attribution to a specific artist has not yet proved possible, it shares some qualities with a similarly dated ivory group of St. John Nepomuk by H. W. Schröder in the Reiner Winkler collection (Theuerkauff, loc. cit.), which shows a similar attention to the pyramidal form of the composition and to the dynamic interaction of the figures. Additional details such as St. John's contrapposto and facial features, not to mention the carved wings and the uplifted foot of one of the putti demonstrates a notable closeness to the figure of St. Michael.