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57 - Spanish School. 16th Century. 'Saint Jerome' Carved, polychr…

Estimate €6,000 - €8,000
Sale commission
Description
Spanish School. 16th Century. 'Saint Jerome' Carved, polychromed and gilded wood sculpture. 92 × 38 × 27 cm. Magnificent Spanish sculpture of the 16th century depicting Saint Jerome, one of the Four Great Latin Doctors of the Church, translator of the Holy Scriptures into Latin and author of the celebrated Vulgate, the text that served as the foundation of Western Christianity for more than a millennium. The saint is represented here in his role as Doctor of the Church and scholar of the Scriptures, departing from the more common penitential iconography to present him as a learned theologian inspired by divine wisdom. He holds an open book, alluding to his intellectual and theological work, while his right hand rests upon his chest in a gesture of contemplation and profound spiritual reflection. At his feet appears the most characteristic attribute of his iconography: the lion, recalling the well-known legend according to which Saint Jerome removed a thorn from the animal’s paw, earning its lifelong loyalty. Rather than pursuing strict naturalism, the sculptor endowed the beast with a powerful, almost heraldic presence, fully integrated into the expressive language of Spanish Renaissance sculpture. The quality of the carving is particularly evident in the treatment of the face and the long flowing beard, whose deeply undercut locks create a striking interplay of light and shadow. The figure retains remarkable psychological intensity, conveying the image of a man absorbed in study and contemplation, captured in a moment of intellectual and spiritual meditation. The original polychromy preserves extensive gilded surfaces and traces of richly decorated estofado work, particularly visible in the garments. The natural wear of the surface, together with the patina acquired over centuries, enhances the authenticity and historical depth of the sculpture, reinforcing both its devotional character and its evocative power. Stylistically, the work belongs fully within the tradition of Spanish religious sculpture of the 16th century, a period in which lingering Gothic sensibilities coexisted with the new Renaissance influences arriving from Italy. The sculpture embodies that distinctive balance of spirituality, naturalism and expressive force that characterises some of the finest Hispanic religious works of the period. More than four centuries after its creation, this image continues to convey the quiet authority of one of Christianity’s greatest scholars. The open book, the lion at his feet and the contemplative gesture of his hand transform the sculpture into a profound meditation on faith, knowledge and the pursuit of truth. A surviving fragment of an ancient devotion, the figure seems to have interrupted his reading for a brief moment to reflect upon what he has just discovered. In that silent pause lies much of its extraordinary evocative power, inviting the viewer into the same timeless dialogue between wisdom, faith and contemplation.
About the sale Dialogues with the Past: Vestigia
Auction location
Auction time 07/02/2026 at 7:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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