Saint Anne And The Virgin And Child, Carved Oak Group, Northern Europe, 16th Century

A large carved oak group depicting the Education of the Virgin. Saint Anne, seated, wears a headband-style veil and a wimple draped around her neck. She holds an open book on her lap. To her left, the Virgin as a child stands with her hands clasped, her head bowed toward her mother, her hair pulled back into a bun.Saint Anne’s face, with its heavy eyelids and downcast gaze, is remarkably well-preserved. Its soft modeling and great serenity contrast with the condition of the rest of the sculpture. The loose, draped folds are typical of Northern sculpture around 1500. This sculpture captivates with its presence and the very material of the oak—gnawed and eroded by the centuries—which gives it the appearance of a relic from another time. Saint Anne’s face, with her gaze cast downward, has remained intact and exceptionally gentle, while the body, worn down to the very core of the wood, reveals the grain and fibers. A deep patina from use and significant weathering give this piece great decorative power.The back is hollowed out, in accordance with the customary practice for altarpiece or niche sculptures. Condition: A heavily weathered piece, presented as is. Significant, long-standing woodworm damage, with powdery wood in places, particularly on the lower part of the group and on Saint Anne’s knees, the center of which is missing. Cracks, losses, and wear. No visible polychromy; Saint Anne’s face is in good condition.
Dimensions:
Height: 93 cm
Width: 50 cm at the widest point