SAINT DREAMING. POLYCHROMED WOOD. FLEMISH SCHOOL, 16TH CENTURY.

Dream of a saint. Carved and polychrome wood. Flemish school, 16th century. Relief made of carved and polychrome wood that shows an old man with a particular headdress (reminiscent of some chaperones) lying on a bed and accompanied by two friars dressed in habits, who talk to each other. Iconographically, the figure of the old man lying on the bed (note the cushion that raises the upper part of the body, following the common use of the time) who has not died (probably) because he was not completely lying down, is reminiscent of how he was usually represented, for example, to San Antón, San Jerónimo, etc. It is not very likely that it is the subject of the Transit or Death of Saint Francis of Assisi due to the absence of the Stigmata and due to age. It would be part of a cycle of scenes in the altarpiece of a church, an accompaniment that would give the viewer more clues about the identity of those represented. Stylistically, Flemish sculpture along with that of Germanic countries was developed with a realism that could be seen in all the ornamental details, where the sculptural work was presented almost as a goldsmith's work that was applied to the large altars made of wood. In general, in the Netherlands, such a high level had been developed during the Gothic period that the acceptance of the Renaissance from Italy was late. Weight: 3kg.

· Size: 36x6x36,5 cms.