CORPUS CHRISTI
Germany, late 17th century
Fruitwood
51.5 cm x 38 cm
Small losses on two fingers of the left hand, otherwise in very good condition
Since the Middle Ages, sculpture workshops in southwestern Germany and the Alpine region have excelled in creating small religious or secular works, contrasting extremely detailed finishes with delicately polished surfaces.
Boxwood and pearwood were particularly sought after, as the dense grain of these woods allowed for technical execution pushed to the limits of craftsmanship, as seen here in the finely openworked crown of thorns. The polish of the surface reveals a perfect understanding of human anatomy, including musculature, skeletal structure, and the venous network.
This large and powerfully expressive piece is a magnificent example of this tradition.
SOLD