Antwerp, circa 1510/1520
Two carved oak figures of soldiers from a Passion Altarpiece, Antwerp, circa 1510/1520
Freestanding figures, the reverses flattened. Minimal remains of former polychromy. These two dynamic figures of men in soldier’s attire almost certainly belonged to an Antwerp Passion Altarpiece, and were probably placed beneath the cross in the central compartment with the crucifixion scene. The pieces can be compared with Antwerp altarpieces from around 1510–1520, for example those in in Aalen (Belgium), ´s-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands), and Waase (Germany). The altarpiece in the Swedish town of Botkyrka attributed to Jan de Molder (recorded in Antwerp in 1513) also displays strong stylistic parallels to the present works. Jan Ghenoots, who was listed as a sculptor in the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke in 1512, has recently been suggested as the possible author.
Forearm of the left soldier defective. Minimal wear. Height of each 44 cm.
Provenance
Collection of Prof. Dr. Hans Waege, Belgium.
Literature
For the altarpieces in Aarlen´s-Hertogenbosch und Waase cf. exib. cat.: Antwerpse retabels 15de-16de eeuw, ed. H. Nieuwdorp, Antwerpen 1993 (exhibition in Antwerp Cathedral 26.5.-3.10.1993), p. 40-43, 52-57 & 64-69, cat. no. 4, 7 & 9. - For Jan Ghenoots cf.: Ph. Rombouts, Th. van Lerius: De Liggeren en andere historische Archieven der Antwerpsche Sint Lucasgilde, Antwerpen, undated, p. 76.