statue of a man sitting on top of a wooden animal
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787 - CIRCLE OF JUAN DE ANCHETA (Azpeitia, c. 1533 – Pamplona, 158…
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Estimate €5,000 - €8,000
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Description
CIRCLE OF JUAN DE ANCHETA (Azpeitia, c. 1533 – Pamplona, 1588) – Saint Isaiah. 16th-century Spanish School Carved, polychromed and gilded wood. Dimensions: 81 x 64 x 34 cm. This sculpture depicts the prophet Isaiah, one of the key figures of the Old Testament and one of the major prophets whose iconography became widely popular in Spanish Renaissance religious sculpture. The work depicts the saint standing, draped in flowing robes with deep folds, and conceived with a marked monumentality that demonstrates an understanding of the Romanist models prevalent in the second half of the 16th century. The carving shows clear affinities with the work of the circle of Juan de Ancheta, one of the most prominent sculptors of the Spanish Renaissance and a key figure in introducing Michelangelo’s and Romanist styles to Navarre and the northern territories of the Iberian Peninsula. Having likely trained whilst in contact with the major centres of Castilian sculpture and linked to the artistic circles that disseminated Italian innovations, Ancheta developed a style characterised by the monumentality of his figures, their anatomical vigour, the elegance of their movements, and the richness of their drapery—traits that profoundly influenced numerous workshops and followers. In this sculpture, the expressive power of the face, the meticulous rendering of the beard and hair, and the architectural treatment of the drapery are particularly striking; all these elements directly reflect the formal repertoire developed by the master and his circle. The polychromy and gilding further enhance the visual impact of the image, emphasising its devotional nature. Based on its stylistic characteristics and the quality of its execution, the work can be reliably attributed to the circle of Juan de Ancheta, constituting a remarkable example of 16th-century Spanish Romanist sculpture.
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About the sale GRAND SUMMER AUCTION OF HAUTE ÉPOQUE AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 4:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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