MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - SC29.jpg

Category Sculpture
Origin: artist/workshop Lower Rhine, attributed to workshop of Tilman van der Burch
Date 15C/4
Reference No
Size 210x140 (figure of Bernard 67 high)
Provenance CistercianAbbey? Marienstatt?
Present Location Breitscheid, Chapel of St Anne
Bibliography Mainz 1998, 244

Illustration From Mainz 1998, 245 (Dr Ludwig Reichert Verlag)
Other illustrations

Country Germany
Description:
Part of a retable carved in natural wood in c 1480-90 with three large figures largely gilt and attributed to the Cologne workshop of Tilman van der Burch (see also SC28). The wings and predella are lost. The figures represent God the Father holding a golden globe in his left hand - a symbol of his dominion over the whole world - and the right hand raised in blessing. At his feet is a small black donor figure. Below, in niches flanked by columns surmounted by rounded arches, are the figures of the Virgin with Child on the left and Bernard on the right. Bernard carries a book in his right hand and a staff in his right hand. The top of this is missing and would formerly have been a crozier. The iconography suggests Cistercian provenance, and the fact that Tilman van der Burch is known to have worked for Marienstatt points to this abbey as the possible original owner, although this cannot be proven. Bernard has a 'tuft'.