Pietà – Schnitzfigurengruppe des 15. Jahrhund... Lot n° 460

Height: 41 cm. Width: 42 cm. Verso small collection label "Collection Vecht - Amsterdam". Oak wood, set, the setting probably tuned several times due to its age. The fully carved and painted group shows Mary seated on a throne bench, which protrudes widely at the sides and is trimmed with profiles. In front of it, a curved lawn plinth forms the base, which encloses the mantle of Mary with its protruding foot tip and the feet of the corpse of Jesus. In accordance with the period of origin, the carver has introduced movement into the posture of the seated figure in comparison with earlier stylistic interpretations in that the upper part of the body is slightly inclined to the left, while the parallel position of the legs is conceived in an oblique manner. The corpse lies horizontally stiff over Mary's knees, the lower legs bent downwards at a sharp angle. The arms parallel to the body still show the style phase before the depiction with the right arm hanging down, which was spread throughout Europe by Michelangelo's Pietà in Rome. However, this is also how the figure composition given here is to be understood when one notices that the overall appearance suggests a cross shape from a greater viewing distance. Although the use of oak wood does not rule out an origin in the Flemish area, it should be borne in mind that the design type very quickly spread throughout Europe. Nevertheless, two stylistically very close examples from the south-east should be mentioned here: firstly the "Wopfingen Pietà", c. 1420/30 (Vienna Cathedral Museum), and then also the "Krakow Pietà", 1390/1400 (Olomouc Museum). In these two cases, the folded headcloths of Mary are especially noteworthy, but also the very comparable head posture. A. R. (1290732) (11) Pietà - 15th century carved figural group Height: 41 cm. Width: 42 cm. Verso small collection label "Collection Vecht - Amsterdam".