Imposing oak bust of James the Greater

An imposing oak bust of the pilgrim Saint, James the Greater.

From the circle of Hendrik Frans Verbruggen.

Flemish, last quarter of the 17th century.

Measures 62 x 52 x 25cm.

Hendrik Frans Verbruggen (c.1654 - 1724) was a Flemish sculptor and draftsman, who is best known for his Baroque church furniture in various Belgian churches.

Saint James the Greater was the first apostle to shed his blood for Christ and was sent by him on a pilgrimage to evangelize Spain. An iconic symbol associated with pilgrimage is a scallop shell or 'viera' which is pinned to his cloak. He is the patron Saint of Pilgrims, Spain, Galicia, and Santiago de Compostela.