Salome with head of St. John Baptist (Germany, 16th)

Important limewood relief by a master sculptor influenced by the work and style of Veit Stoss or Albrecht Dürer. South Germany, early 16th century. Original gesso white ground with scarce remains of gilt and red polychromy. The facial expression on all figures is very detailed, studied and meaningful. The man behind the executioner (judging by his hat a high ranking official) has a pitiful look on his face as if he regrets what has happened while he holds a lantern to shed some light on the grim scene: obviously he is not happy with what he has to illuminate and what he contributed to. Even for the executioner it is not just ‘another day at the office’: he has a shadow of regret in the eyes. Salomé seems to be the only person pleased with the whole event. The servant behind Salomé, moreover, adds a very contemporary and interactive dimension to the composition of this work of art: she looks directly towards us as if she wants to know what we think of what is going on. All these details give a very cinematographic aspect to the sculpture and betray the hand of a master sculptor from the Renaissance.
Collector’s mark on the back: Inventary number 159, followed by a monogram of the collector and date of cataloging 1749.
Wear, traces of xylophagi, minor losses (sword of executioner).
Dimensions: 43x37x5cm.