Saint Paul
ca. 1450–70
Medium
Alabaster
Dimensions
H. 34.1 cm (excluding base), h. 6.4 cm (base).
Classification
Sculpture-Alabaster
Culture
Southern Netherlandish or Northern France
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1486
Tags
About this artwork
[Research in progress for Saint Paul by Southern Netherlands|Northern France, ca. 1450–70]
Art Historical Context
This exquisite alabaster sculpture of *Saint Paul*, crafted around 1450–70 in the Southern Netherlands or Northern France, stands as a testament to the refined religious art of late medieval Europe. Measuring just 34.1 cm in height (excluding its 6.4 cm base), the figure captures the apostle in contemplative pose, likely holding his traditional attributes—a sword symbolizing his martyrdom and a book representing his epistles. Produced during a period of transition from Gothic to early Renaissance styles, such works were often made by anonymous workshops for private devotion, adorning altars or...