Stone Sculpture Of A Preaching Monk, Early 15th Century. Burgundy.

A limestone monk, a preacher, holding the end of a scroll in his left hand. Height 56 cm. The stylistic characteristics are reminiscent of the Burgundian school of the early 15th century. The subject of this sculpture is quite rare in iconography. One can admire the sculptor's skill in conveying the tension in the face and the virulence of the preacher's words through his agitated gestures. The hairs of the beard are detailed almost one by one; the figure's teeth are even visible. The habit falls in deep, straight folds over the twisting legs of the figure. The cap he wears covers his ears. A scroll would have stretched between his two hands, his left hand holding its end, folded into a roll; the right hand has unfortunately disappeared. This sculpture can be attributed to a workshop close to Claus Sluter, who was able to imbue his models with the impression of life and movement found in this work. The preacher's face is reminiscent of those of the prophets at the Well of Moses in the Chartreuse de Champmol in Dijon, particularly Moses and David with their long, forked beards, and Daniel. The sculpture is in very good condition. Traces of polychromy remain.