Offered by Poisson et Associés
Paintings, sculptures and art objects from the 15th to the 17th century
This freestanding sculpture, carved in limestone, depicts Saint Bernard dressed in a draped monastic habit, the interior of which features a frieze-like pattern. He holds an abbot's crozier in his right hand and an open book in his left. These elements characterize both his authority as a spiritual guide and his status as a theologian and Doctor of the Church.
Indeed, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux contributed to the Cistercian order through his dogma, centered on an austere and conservative religiosity, far removed from anything that might seem like a distraction for the mind. He notably denounced the pride of the new monks and believed that rich decorations could divert the mind from meditating on divine realities. This aspect is reflected in the sculpture's simplicity, which pays homage to this saint. He is depicted standing with a certain stability in his pose. Her expression evokes serenity, that of contemplation and inner life, brought about by her studies and penances. Despite a certain structural rigidity inherited from earlier traditions, this sculpture demonstrates a growing interest in naturalism through the treatment of volumes in the relationship between the body and the drapery. These elements are characteristic of 14th-century Burgundian sculpture.
Our sculpture is made of slightly shelly limestone, a material that was widely used in the region, allowing for meticulous work without compromising the structure's solidity. In the 14th century, artistic production in Burgundy benefited from ducal patronage and the dynamism of its monastic centers, making the region a major center of European Gothic art. Under the patronage of the Dukes of Burgundy, sculptural art, which had previously been rigid, evolved towards an increasingly pronounced naturalism, as can be seen here. The figures tend to lengthen, the expressions become more serene, the movement is felt particularly through the interplay of light and shadow.
Overall dimensions: 120 x 39 x 37 cm
Sculpture alone: ??100 x 39 x 37 cm
