Oak altarpiece carved in high relief depicting... Lot 31

Oak altarpiece carved in high relief depicting Mary at the foot of the Cross supported by a holy woman; important naturalistic background depicting a riprap. Lower Rhine, workshop of Master Arnt of Kalkar and Zwolle, circa 1480-1500 H. 90 cm. (some missing parts) Provenance: former Louis and Ernesta Stern collection, Paris, and through their descendants, including during World War II. the Second World War. Little is known about Master Arnt, who was active from 1460 to 1492. He began working in Kalkar for the Dukes of Cleves, then moved to Zwolle. His sculptures are in the tradition of the Brussels, Antwerp and Utrecht schools. Utrecht, but he also created his own style. This element of an altarpiece captures the liveliness that he translates so well through his layered composition; the scattered gazes of the figures almost create a noise as their gestures clash with one another. The rocky background is very similar to that of the altarpiece of St. George in the church of St. Nicholas in Kalkar.