Carved Walnut Statue Of A Saint (st. James The Greater?) - France - 16th Century - 98 Cm

A large statue in the round, carved from walnut wood, depicting a standing pilgrim saint. The figure, young and beardless, with an idealized, serene face slightly raised, is dressed in a long tunic, a short hooded cape (esclavine) thrown back over his shoulders, and a loose, draped cloak, gathered and held on his forearm in long, cascading tubular folds of beautiful fullness.

His hands, clasped against his chest, hold a pilgrim’s staff (bourdon) with a pommel; on his right side, a book is held under his arm. This combination of the staff and the book, attributes of the pilgrim and the apostle, allows us to propose, as a hypothesis, a depiction of Saint James the Greater, the great pilgrim saint of Compostela. The identification remains open, in the absence of shells and other attributes that have since disappeared.

The sculpture bears witness to a skilled hand: delicate modeling of the face in the Renaissance style, deeply carved and elegantly rhythmic drapery. The reverse side, roughly shaped with a gouge, indicates a work designed for frontal display, in a niche or an altarpiece.

Work from the late 16th century
98 cm in height

Signs of wear and small losses (particularly on the staff), clearly visible in the photos.