Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
c. 1515
Medium
lindenwood with polychromy and gilding
Dimensions
131.8 × 53.3 × 28.3 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Carol L. Brewster
Accession Number
1971.274
Tags
About this artwork
Saint Elizabeth was born in 1207, the daughter of Andreas II, King of Hungary; her crown alludes to her royal birth. Many legends about her generosity and work on behalf of the poor were circulated in the Middle Ages, among them the subject of this sculpture: food she was carrying to the poor was miraculously changed to roses to avoid discovery by her husband. Much of the original paint and gilding is preserved on this sculpture except the face, which had been stripped and repainted in heavy oil...
About the Artist
Mätthaus Kreniss (German)
**German, Franconia (active ca. 1485–1500)** was an anonymous artist from the Franconian region of northern Bavaria, Germany, renowned for his contributions to late Gothic graphic arts. Little is known of his early life or training, as details about many anonymous masters from this era remain undocumented. Franconia, with its vibrant artistic centers like Nuremberg, fostered a rich tradition of re...