Saint Wilgeforte in carved oak. The bearded saint... Lot 246

Saint Wilgeforte in carved oak. The bearded saint is depicted crucified, her hands and feet tied to the cross with cords; her head is crowned and her face is framed by the wavy strands of hair falling over the front of her shoulders; she is dressed in a long girdled dress with hollowed geometric folds. North of France, ca. 1500 Height: 59 cm - Width: 34 cm (part of the right arm missing, vermilions) Work consulted: L. Réau, Iconographie de l'Art chrétien, Iconographie des saints, T III, pp.1342-1345. St. Wilgeforte, devoid of any historical reality and born of an iconographic contradiction, was the daughter of a pagan king of Portugal who wanted to force her to marry. Having taken a vow of virginity, the princess refused and begged God to disfigure her in order to discourage the suitors. The Lord granted her by making her grow a beard on her chin. Her horrified father then accused her of witchcraft and had her crucified so that she would resemble her chosen bridegroom to the end.