4
Attributed to Lorenzo Mercadante de Bretana (active in Seville between 1454-1467)
In Millésime 24
1/16
Description
Attributed to Lorenzo Mercadante de Bretaña (active in Seville between 1454-1467).
"Saint George on Horseback"
Carved, gilded, polychromed wood sculpture with embossed silver.
156 x 102 x 35 cm.
As indicated by the Museum of Fine Arts in Seville: "Despite being one of the figures of unquestionable importance in the advancement of medieval sculptural aesthetics in Seville, not much is known about his biography except that he came from Brittany to Seville, where he was active as a sculptor between the years 1454-1467, working on the tomb of Cardinal Juan de Cervantes and on the portals of the Nativity and Baptism at Seville Cathedral."
The sculpture we have here, in our opinion, bears undeniable similarities to the Archangel Saint Michael that is part of the MNAC collection in Barcelona, made of polychromed terracotta from the Plandiura collection. In both cases, the saint wears a similar type of crown/diadem recreating coloured gemstone decoration, and the facial features and treatment of the hair forming waves show great similarity.
Characteristic of Mercadante's work, this Saint George has a face full of expressiveness and humanity, peculiarities inherent to the sculptor that J.R.M. González also identifies in his article "Mercadante de Bretaña. El enigma de su personalidad" (Mercadante of Brittany. The enigma of his personality), which states: "Indeed, Mercadante successfully combined the poetic style of Flanders with that of Burgundy. For José Hernández Díaz, the Breton sculptor represents the epilogue of a late medieval northern process, consisting of a unique renaissance with a realist and naturalistic style, in contrast to the modernity of the Italian Quattrocento of classical lineage that was developing at the time. The artist, therefore, represents the modernity of the northern regions in the mid-15th century. His particular work produced a stylistic reaction in the artistic environment of Seville, with rewarding results that would only change decades later with the influence of work by Andrea della Robbia, Pace Gaggini (or Gazzini), Antonio Maria Aprile da Carona, and Domenico Fancelli, amongst other Italian Renaissance sculptors. Consequently, Mercadante's sculpture is remarkable for the deliberate humanisation of his figures, whose faces emanate marked and eloquent expressiveness. In his exquisite representation of the human body one can observe the careful and thorough previous study of the sculptor, who, in his most inspired work, manages to appear to vivify inert matter. As for the clothing, he sculpts the angular folds with precision in the style of the Van Eycks. In this way, with appropriate realism, he displays the tactile qualities of the garments, but also of the accessories and attributes. He achieves this both in the carving of alabaster and in the modelling of clay, later fired and polychromed, beginning a strong tradition in Sevillian imagery with the latter material. In short, the resulting whole is a well-composed image, with careful lines, balanced volumes, and greatness in the forms, thanks to his technique of true virtuosity."
Bibliographic references:
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. (n.d.). "San Miguel Arcángel". https://www.museunacional.cat/es/colleccio/san-miguel-arcangel/lorenzo-mercadante-de-bretanya/004367-000
- Rojas-Marcos González, Jesús. (2023). "Mercadante de Bretaña. El enigma de su personalidad escultórica". https://www.realacademiabellasartessevilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/8.-Rojas.pdf
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Attributed to Lorenzo Mercadante de Bretaña (active in Seville between 1454-1467).
"Saint George on Horseback"
Carved, gilded, polychromed wood sculpture with embossed silver.
156 x 102 x 35 cm.
As indicated by the Museum of Fine Arts in Seville: "Despite being one of the figures of unquestionable importance in the advancement of medieval sculptural aesthetics in Seville, not much is known about his biography except that he came from Brittany to Seville, where he was active as a sculptor between the years 1454-1467, working on the tomb of Cardinal Juan de Cervantes and on the portals of the Nativity and Baptism at Seville Cathedral."
The sculpture we have here, in our opinion, bears undeniable similarities to the Archangel Saint Michael that is part of the MNAC collection in Barcelona, made of polychromed terracotta from the Plandiura collection. In both cases, the saint wears a similar type of crown/diadem recreating coloured gemstone decoration, and the facial features and treatment of the hair forming waves show great similarity.
Characteristic of Mercadante's work, this Saint George has a face full of expressiveness and humanity, peculiarities inherent to the sculptor that J.R.M. González also identifies in his article "Mercadante de Bretaña. El enigma de su personalidad" (Mercadante of Brittany. The enigma of his personality), which states: "Indeed, Mercadante successfully combined the poetic style of Flanders with that of Burgundy. For José Hernández Díaz, the Breton sculptor represents the epilogue of a late medieval northern process, consisting of a unique renaissance with a realist and naturalistic style, in contrast to the modernity of the Italian Quattrocento of classical lineage that was developing at the time. The artist, therefore, represents the modernity of the northern regions in the mid-15th century. His particular work produced a stylistic reaction in the artistic environment of Seville, with rewarding results that would only change decades later with the influence of work by Andrea della Robbia, Pace Gaggini (or Gazzini), Antonio Maria Aprile da Carona, and Domenico Fancelli, amongst other Italian Renaissance sculptors. Consequently, Mercadante's sculpture is remarkable for the deliberate humanisation of his figures, whose faces emanate marked and eloquent expressiveness. In his exquisite representation of the human body one can observe the careful and thorough previous study of the sculptor, who, in his most inspired work, manages to appear to vivify inert matter. As for the clothing, he sculpts the angular folds with precision in the style of the Van Eycks. In this way, with appropriate realism, he displays the tactile qualities of the garments, but also of the accessories and attributes. He achieves this both in the carving of alabaster and in the modelling of clay, later fired and polychromed, beginning a strong tradition in Sevillian imagery with the latter material. In short, the resulting whole is a well-composed image, with careful lines, balanced volumes, and greatness in the forms, thanks to his technique of true virtuosity."
Bibliographic references:
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. (n.d.). "San Miguel Arcángel". https://www.museunacional.cat/es/colleccio/san-miguel-arcangel/lorenzo-mercadante-de-bretanya/004367-000
- Rojas-Marcos González, Jesús. (2023). "Mercadante de Bretaña. El enigma de su personalidad escultórica". https://www.realacademiabellasartessevilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/8.-Rojas.pdf
Millésime 24
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 73
Venue Address
Conde de Salvatierra, 8
Barcelona
08006
Spain
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
The purchase price includes the delivery of the lots in the venue of the auction. Transporting to other destinations is at the own risk of the client. The customer must contact "LST", to give the corresponding instructions for such transporting. "LST" is not responsible for the packaging or any accident incurred during transportation.
Important Information
Once again, we start the year with a special auction, called Millésime.
A catalog of 73 lots of European, Novo-Hispanic and Vicerregal art, so spanish americas art, where you will find paintings, furniture, decorative arts etc.
We hope you enjoy it!!
Terms & Conditions
CONDITIONS OF THE AUCTION:
I. REGISTRATION. To bid in the room customers must register at the beginning, filling out a form and picking a number that will identify them during the auction. Customers may be required to register in bank references or other guarantee system and if they do not prove the solvency "LST" will not accept bids and award the auction.
II. WRITTEN BIDS. "LST" will accept written bids, which will be formalized in the form provided by the room until the day before the auction. In such auctions, the room will bid in name of the client until the maximum stated in the offer and always at the lowest possible price. If there are two or more bids for the same amount, the one placed first will have the priority. Written bids received in advance, will have priority on the day of the auction.
III. TELEPHONE BIDS. "LST" will allow telephone bids, if interested people contact "LST" days before the auction providing personal data, ID card and the phone number which will be used by the staff of "LST" to call at the time of the auction. The buyer, within all the legal rights is making an offer for the asking price, when applies for telephone bid. "LST" will not take responsibility for any technical defects beyond its control, which may prevent to contact successfully the bidder during the auction.
IV. AUCTIONEER. The auction will be conducted by an auctioneer, director of the auction will be judge and arbitrator of it with full authority in its development, will award the lots to the highest bidder and is able to settle any controversy concerning lots sale, reject bids, divide lots or group them and remover objects from the room. Will be able to, if it is deemed suitable, not accept bids on the auction. His decision will be unappealable.
V. SALE OF LOTS. The lots are awarded to the highest bidder. Once the auctioneer blows the hammer, the buyer becomes responsible of the lot purchased, exempting "LST" of liability to for any damage and / or accidents that may occur. No refunds of lots.
VI. STARTING PRICE. The amount shown in the catalogue as the starting price for each lot will be, as a rule, the minimum selling price, except for exceptional cases where a reservation may be agreed upon with the seller or it set discretionary by the room.
VII. SCALE OF BIDS. The bids are set according to the following scale:
From 50.-€ to 200.-€…………………………………………..at 10.-€
From 200.-€ to 500.-€…………………………………… …25 in 25.-€
From 500.-€ to 1.000.-€………………………………..…..….50 in 50.-€
From 1.000.-€ to 2.000.-€………………………………..…100 in 100.-€
From 2.000.-€ to 5.000.-€……………………………….….250 in 250.-€
From 5.000.-€ to 10.000.-€…………………………………500 in 500.-€
From 10.000.-€ to 20.000.-€……………………………1.000 in 1.000.-€
From 20.000.-€ to 50.000.-€……………………………2.500 in 2.500.-€
From 50.000.-€ to 100.000.-€…………………………..5.000 in 5.000.-€
From 100.000.-€ to 100.000.-€………………………10.000 in 10.000.-€
From 200.000.-€ to 200.000.-€………………………25.000 in 25.000.-€
From 500.000.-€ to 500.000.-€………………………50.000 in 50.000.-€
VIII. RIGHT OF ADMISION. "LST" reserves the right to admission to the auction room and to reject, at its judgment, any purchase order, from clients whose solvency is not duly proved as well as not to sale auctions.
IX. SALE PRICES. The successful bidder of one or more lots must pay "LST" the final sale price achieves at auction, plus the 24,5 % plus 21% VAT on the commission.
X. CATALOG DATA. The catalogue data are obtained in order to careful research and advice, however, any responsibility is afforded about its accuracy. The lots will be auctioned in the state in which they are, not accepting any claims in restorations, breakage, damage, imperfections and, even description or numbering mistakes in the catalogue, in case of it, being the burden of the buyers to make sure before the auction that the description matches with their personal opinion about respective lot. The exhibition of the lots is intended to allow a perfect review and study of them.
XI. PAYMENT AND REMOVAL OF LOTS. Payment and removal of the lots will be held no later than five days following the auction. After this period expire without having the buyer removed the lot or lots purchases, it will accrue an expense of custody of 6 euros per day on each lot.
15 days after the auction without having the buyer paid and removes the sold lots, "LST" will inform the seller and there will begin judicial proceeding in order to obtain payment. The delay in payment by the purchaser of his/her sold lots will carry an interest increase at a rate of 1,5% per month.
XII. DELIVERY OF LOTS. The purchase price includes the delivery of the lots in the venue of the auction. Transporting to other destinations is at the own risk of the client. The customer must contact "LST", to give the corresponding instructions for such transporting. "LST" is not responsible for the packaging or any accident incurred during transportation.
XIII. RIGHT OF FIRT REFUSAL AND REPURCHASE. "LST" in order to article 38 of "Ley 16/1985 de 25 Junio del Patrimonio Histórico Español" (BOE. 155 June 29, 1985), will notify in advance to the Ministry of Culture, the content of their catalogues. Concerning the lots subject to the legislation referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Administration may exercise the rights of first refusal and repurchase according to the law. "LST" will watch over the protection of Artistic, Historical and Bibliographical Heritage of Spain. For customers out of European Community, a tax for export is required by the Administration.
XIV. VALUE ADDED TAX (I.V.A). This tax will be accrued on commissions of "LST" for buyers, using the rates prevailing on the date of the auction.
XV. DATA PROTECTION. In order to the "Ley 15/1999 de 13 de Diciembre, de Protección de Datos de Carácter Personal", the client authorize "LST", the inclusion of their data in a customer file, and for the promotion by "LST" of the objects at all times the rights of access, rectification or deletion of personal data by sending the appropriate request to the following address: LA SUITE SUBASTAS, C/ Conde Salvatierra, 8, 08006. Barcelona.
XVI. EXPRESS LEGAL JURISDICTION. These Conditions are governed by and interpreted in accordance with the rules of Spanish law. The mere act of participating in the auction as seller, buyer or bidder, implies acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
Sales operations are understood to be held at the registered office of "LST", C/ Conde de Salvatierra, 8, 08006. Any dispute shall be taken to the competent courts of Barcelona, expressly waiving any other jurisdiction, in accordance with Article 55 of the "Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil".
