The Conversion of Saint Hubertus (Austria, 16th century)

Large limewood sculpture depicting the conversion of Saint Hubertus.
According to the legend, in the 7th century, nobleman Hubertus went hunting on a Good Friday (instead of going to church) and as he was about to kill a stag, the animal turned and he saw a crucifix between its antlers. He fell on his knees and a heavenly voice told him to lead a holy life and go to bishop Lambert of Liege. When Lambert was assassinated in 708, Hubertus became 31st Bishop of Maastricht and later first Bishop of Liege. He is also known as ‘Apostle of the Ardennes’. The story is very similar to that of the lesser known Saint Eustachius of Rome.
We can see Hubertus on his knees, his hat has fallen to the ground, his hunting dog is looking upwards, where the stag is sitting, calm and serene. An angel comes from above – representing the ‘heavenly voice’ – holding a phylactery in its hands with the heavenly message. On the other side, the slightly puzzled attendant of Hubertus, holding a (missing) spear in one hand and another object (flag?) in his hollowed left hand, is watching with a mixture of fear and disbelief. Interesting composition with the protagonists (Hubertus, Angel) in central position, flanked by the other figures. All spread in an upper register except Hubertus, who is prominent in the central lower register.
The whole scene is bathing in an overwhelming décor of rocks and trees that add to the drama with their winding and distorted shapes.
Large and thick limewood panel: 51x 45 x 12 cm. Wrong, apocryphal, extremely crudely carved (and misspelled) date in Roman numbers on the back. Minimal remains of original green polychromy on the side. Danube valley: Austrian or central European. Weathered and some parts missing (hands of the Saint ...) traces of xylophage all over.

References:
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (Schoufour-Martin collection), ‘De Bekering van Sint Hubertus of Sint Eustachius’ (France, 1450-1475, Inv. Number BEK 1770 (OK)
URL: https://www.boijmans.nl/collectie/kunstwerken/132206/de-bekering-van-sint-hubertus-of-sint-eustachius

Painting ‘Conversion if Sint Hubertus’ in the Groeningemuseum, Brugge, (Flanders, 1500-12550, Inv. Number 0000.GRO1361.I)
URL: https://collectie.museabrugge.be/en/collection/work/id/0000_GRO1361_I?_gl=1*w2wtbt*_ga*MTUyNDk0NTc0Ny4xNzE3NzU1NzY5*_ga_26ZX0L3H99*MTcxNzc1NTc2OC4xLjEuMTcxNzc1NTc2OS41OS4wLjA.