17th-century Polychrome Wooden Statue Of Saint Paul

Saint Paul is depicted faithfully to his iconography, holding in his right hand the sword that symbolized his martyrdom.

He sports a thick mustache and a long, forked beard on an elongated face with a pensive gaze.

His expression is gentle and meditative.

Note the drapery of his garments, which dynamically follows the Saint's contrapposto posture. This position, also called "swaying," lends suppleness and movement to the figure. The effect of the body's twisting allows for a more lifelike expression than that which a completely frontal and static pose could evoke.

Contrapposto appeared in Greek sculpture at the end of the 6th century BC. It marks the transition between archaic art and early classicism.

Saint Paul is the patron saint of missionaries, basket makers, and rope makers. He is also the second patron saint of the city of Rome, after Saint Peter.

Dimensions

H. 62 cm x W. 22 cm x D. 17 cm

France

Polychrome walnut

17th century