German, Lower Rhenish
Magus, early 16th century
Polychromed and gilded basswood , 170 cm (66 15/16 in.)
This tall, polychromed and gilded basswood sculpture of a bearded man is facing toward our right, with his left arm bent upward and fingers raised, and his right arm bent at the elbow but missing part of the forearm and the hand. The man is wearing a wide-brimmed hat over a piece of cloth that falls over his right shoulder and has a patterned border. A gold chain hangs low on his chest, over a close-fitting garment. A long robe is draped over that garment and his left shoulder and arm, with deep creases falling to his feet, which are on a small, rock-like pedestal. A significant amount of gold and red remains on the sculpture. At the back of the sculpture there is a vertical rod.
Gothic Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.