Saint Philibert, Barbant early 16th century. Jan Borman II and workshop

Our sculpture is a Flemish work of the 16th century.
Indeed, this oak sculpture brings together typical features of the sculptural treatment of the artist, both in terms of the complexity of drapery and the eyes with split and curved rendering.

Jan Borman II is an important sculptor of the Brabant art. He was registered with the Guild of stonemason in Bruxelles in 1479. He is already well known in the region for his work as “die beste meester beldsnyderle” (the best wood carver). However, it is common for the artists of this time to never sign their sculptures; the artistic production of Jan Borman II is not exempt from this because his only signed work is the altarpiece of Saint George.
When he died in 1520 the workshop continued with his descendants Jan Borman the Younger.

In accordance with the characteristics of Brabant art, our sculpture is imbued with a late gothic.
It represents Saint Philibert, a monk who lived in the seventh century. Originally from the Merovingian aristocracy close to King Dagobert, he is known for having founded the monasteries of Jumièges and Noirmoutier. He is now invoked against the disease. The figure of Saint Philibert is easily recognizable here by its attributes: with his left hand he holds the book, while on the right he holds the sumptuously carved crook.

In fact, here is an interesting element, a sculpture of Saint Gertrude de Nivelles with a finely carved cross is very close to our Saint Philibert (expo Borman and son in Louvain 2019) ; this detail attribute undoubtedly the work in Borman and are workshop.

Comes from a Parisian collection.

Height : 139 cm