This gilded linden wood statue depicts a standing St. Christopher who holds a child on his shoulder to our right. This gold colored statue depicts St. Christopher with long wavy hair and a peaceful expression on his face. He is seen standing in water wearing a knee length robe draped about his waist and shoulders. His right arm is bent upward and holds a bird. His left arm supports a child on his shoulder and his head is turned slightly toward the child. The child holds a stick in their hand. There is visible damage to this statue on St. Christopher’s head and leg. The statue is atop a pedestal with pointed arches carved between the legs.
Italian, Venice
Saint Christopher,
about 1400
Gilded lindenwood
,
58.5 cm (23 1/16 in.)
Object details
Accession number
S28w2
Primary Creator
Italian, Venice
Full title
Saint Christopher
Creation Date
about 1400
Provenance
Purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner from the antique dealer Dino Barozzi, Venice for 63 lire on 20 September 1899.
Dimensions
58.5 cm (23 1/16 in.)
Display Media
Gilded lindenwood
Web Commentary
In Christian religions, Saint Christopher—the patron saint and protector of travelers—carried the Christ Child across a treacherous river on his shoulders.This gilded lindenwood statue of Saint Christopher and the Christ Child is situated in the Chapel, tucked away in a choir stall. This sculpture of a saint is one of many placed in this area, which still functions as an active sacred space with a consecrated altar.
Permanent Gallery Location
Chapel
Bibliography
Cornelius C. Vermeule III et al. Sculpture in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1977), p. 71, no. 99.
Rights and reproductions
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In Christian religions, Saint Christopher—the patron saint and protector of travelers—carried the Christ Child across a treacherous river on his shoulders.This gilded lindenwood statue of Saint Christopher and the Christ Child is situated in the Chapel, tucked away in a choir stall. This sculpture of a saint is one of many placed in this area, which still functions as an active sacred space with a consecrated altar.