Mattheus van Beveren, attributed to
A carved ivory Corpus Christi, attributed to Mattheus van Beveren
Carved in the round. This Corpus Christi, for which the original INRI plaque has been preserved, is an exceptional rarity on the one hand because of its size, but on the other hand because of its artistic quality and its state of preservation. The carving of the ivory shows a masterful hand, able to capture all the nuances of anatomical modelling and details. The corpus is traditionally attributed to Mattheus van Beveren, one of the leading Flemish sculptors of his time.
Born in Antwerp, Mattheus van Beveren received his training under Peter Verbruggen, and in 1650 he was admitted as a master to the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp. His works, which he also executed in stone and wood, include numerous ivory crucifixes. One example that can be compared especially to the present work is the Corpus Christi in the church of St. Anthony of Padua in Antwerp, also attributed to Mattheus van Beveren.
In very good overall condition. The arms visibly attached. Minor yellowing and soiling. Height of Corpus 72 cm, width of arms 39 cm, height of cross 110 cm, width 54 cm.
Literature
For the comparable Corpus Christi in the church of St. Anthony of Padua in Antwerp see Genevieve van Bever: Les "Tailleurs d´Yvoire" de la Renaissance au XIXème siècle, Brussels 1946, pl. 46.