St Christopher Flowing Red Robe and Holding a Staff

Maker:

Region: Italian

Period: antique

Medium: carved and polychrome wood

Dimensions: height 18 inches

Date: late 18th century

Condition: good overall wear consistent with age

Appraisal: 2014 Hobart and Associates

A carved and polychrome-decorated wood sculpture of Saint Christopher, 18th Century

18th century, Italian wood sculptures of St. Christopher were deeply intertwined with the Baroque and Rococo artistic movements, serving as vital objects for both public veneration and private protection.

The 18th century, the carvings shifted from the stiff medieval style to more dynamic, baroque poses, emphasizing the physical struggle of Christopher carrying the weight of the world. 

Materials: Sculptors typically used limewood, walnut, or poplar because they were soft enough for intricate detailing of the saint’s muscular form and the Christ Child’s features.

The Stratigraphic Process: Artisans followed a strict sequence: carving the core, applying a gesso ground layer, painting with mineral pigments, and finishing with gold leaf (gilding) on the robes.