German, Bavaria
Saint Stephen, about 1510-1520
Polychromed and gilded lindenwood, 58.5 cm (23 1/16 in.)
This painted and gilded, carved, wooden sculpture of the Christian Saint Stephen is around two feet tall. He stands with both arms bent at the elbows. Three round objects rest on top of a red book that lies flat on his left palm. His right hand touches his chest. Stephen faces forward but he looks slightly left and downward. He is dressed simply in a long sleeved, brown, floor length robe that falls below his feet. Over it he wears a short sleeved, gilded garment that ends just below his knees. His medium brown, curly hair is pulled forward from a flattened crown. His eyes are dark and wide-open eyes and he has prominent eyebrow. His complexion is pale with rosy cheeks.
Chapel
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.