Madonna and Child. Carved, polychromed and gilded... Lot 40

Madonna and Child. Carved, polychromed and gilded wooden sculpture. Ulm, Swabia, South Germany. Hans Multscher Circle (1400 - before 1467). Gothic. 15th century. The sculptor of this marvellous and imposing group is clearly inspired by the work of the Master Hans Multscher, who had a large workshop in Ulm and was responsible for the change of style and the beginning of international Gothic, making this town a hub of German Gothic sculpture, with some particular stylistic characteristics of their own. This sculpture was probably made for the centre of an altar which would have been surrounded by painted panels and carved base reliefs, as was common in the south of Germany and in Austria in the late Gothic period. The Madonna is lightly balanced in a frontal position, on a quarter moon which has the shape of the sun in the shape of a human profile carved in its interior, symbols which serve to represent her as the woman in the Apocalypse. She holds the Christ Child in her left hand, who appears to be restless, holding the orb and cross in His right hand. Magnificent treatment of the faces. Mary´s face shows the stylistic canon of the Madonnas of this region, lengthened, with a wide forehead, slim nose and small mouth. They were known as “doll-faces” associated with the Madonnas of Ulm. She wears a large crown, from which escapes long and richly sculpted locks of hair. The mastery with which the deep and long folds of the cloak and dress which enfold her body are carved is outstanding, creating a great sensation of volume and movement.. Similar examples to this Madonna can be found in: "Hannah" in the Ulm Cathedral choir, the Madonna in the Ulm Museum of Decorative Arts and in the figure of a female Saint wich is in the Louvre Provenance: acquired by the former owner of an antique dealer in 1980. Height: 135 cm.