57
Bernardo de Legarda (Quito, Ecuador, circa 1770 - 1773)
1/9
Description
Bernardo de Legarda (Quito, Ecuador, circa 1770 - 1773)
‘Martyrdom of Saint Barbara’.
Carved, polychromed and gilded wooden relief.
35,5 x 27 x 3,5 cm.
Wonderful relief, in which Legarda magnificently narrates the dramatic moment in which the saint is about to be beheaded, while a lightning bolt is about to fall on her executioner, killing him. Next to her is the tower in which her father, Dioscorus, had her locked up to protect her from being harassed by suitors. Before entering the tower the saint baptised herself in a pool. She escaped, but was arrested and brought before the judge Martinianus, who condemned her to death. In this relief, the tower, according to tradition, has three windows to recall the words of the saint, who stated that the light had entered her through the three windows of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The relief is an example of absolute mastery as well as virtuosity in polychromy. The characters are dressed in rich and elaborate robes in vivid colours, with polychrome brushwork of flowers enriched with motifs painted in gold. It is ornamented down to the smallest detail. It is presented in its original carved, wooden, niche type frame, which even has its inner edge decorated with a border of flowers.
Bernardo Legada, an enormously talented sculptor and painter, stands out as one of the most important artists of the Viceroyalty of Ecuador.
The magnitude, variety and aesthetic quality of his work is unparalleled in the entire viceregal period. Legarda, while consolidating the validity of the Quito School as a differentiated style, is a pioneer in the vision of the artist as an individual.
When we speak of this Master we usually think only of his free-standing sculptures, but Legarda is perhaps one of the few artists of the South American region who inherited the multidisciplinary versatility of the first artists who arrived or developed in Latin America, as was the master Bernardo Bitti, one of the three pillars of viceregal art in South America at the end of the XVI century. He was an outstanding and fine sculptor, prolific image maker, skilled painter, painstaking gilder, silversmith and mirror maker.His workshop, large and prosperous, located near San Francisco, was a centre of great activity. There is a large number of artworks by the master Bernardo de Legarda in the different churches in the capital of Ecuador that attest to his genius. Amongst his most important artworks is the main altarpiece of the Church of La Merced in Quito, as well as the altarpiece of the Temple of the Jesuits.
This relief is especially remarkable because there are very few artworks by Legarda on the market today, and even fewer with this type of relief carving.
Its small size and quality, together with its magnificent polychromy, make this relief a coveted jewel that could certainly be a museum piece.
The sweet expressions of the characters, who seem oblivious to the scene depicted where Saint Barbara is about to have her throat slit, are classic Legarda. This type of expression and idealised faces reminiscent of porcelain dolls are repeated over and over again in his sculpture. It is sufficient to see just some of his works to notice that this was undoubtedly the great Master of kind, serene and sweet faces.
We take two artworks by the author as typological references of his relief carving. On the one hand, a relief sculptural ensemble conceived within its own niche, representing the Apocalyptic Immaculate Virgin with a choir of angels, in the BEAEP Cultural Center Museum. And on the other hand, an exquisite relief sculpture of a larger size representing the Assumption of Mary, in the Church of San Francisco, in Quito, Ecuador. Furthermore, when analysing the carving, we compared its clothing, polychromy and sweet features with those of the Archangel Saint Gabriel in the same church in Quito; and also with the Archangel Saint Michael of the Primate Cathedral of Quito, whose sweet face is especially reminiscent of that of the Saint Barbara we have here.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
Bernardo de Legarda (Quito, Ecuador, circa 1770 - 1773)
‘Martyrdom of Saint Barbara’.
Carved, polychromed and gilded wooden relief.
35,5 x 27 x 3,5 cm.
Wonderful relief, in which Legarda magnificently narrates the dramatic moment in which the saint is about to be beheaded, while a lightning bolt is about to fall on her executioner, killing him. Next to her is the tower in which her father, Dioscorus, had her locked up to protect her from being harassed by suitors. Before entering the tower the saint baptised herself in a pool. She escaped, but was arrested and brought before the judge Martinianus, who condemned her to death. In this relief, the tower, according to tradition, has three windows to recall the words of the saint, who stated that the light had entered her through the three windows of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The relief is an example of absolute mastery as well as virtuosity in polychromy. The characters are dressed in rich and elaborate robes in vivid colours, with polychrome brushwork of flowers enriched with motifs painted in gold. It is ornamented down to the smallest detail. It is presented in its original carved, wooden, niche type frame, which even has its inner edge decorated with a border of flowers.
Bernardo Legada, an enormously talented sculptor and painter, stands out as one of the most important artists of the Viceroyalty of Ecuador.
The magnitude, variety and aesthetic quality of his work is unparalleled in the entire viceregal period. Legarda, while consolidating the validity of the Quito School as a differentiated style, is a pioneer in the vision of the artist as an individual.
When we speak of this Master we usually think only of his free-standing sculptures, but Legarda is perhaps one of the few artists of the South American region who inherited the multidisciplinary versatility of the first artists who arrived or developed in Latin America, as was the master Bernardo Bitti, one of the three pillars of viceregal art in South America at the end of the XVI century. He was an outstanding and fine sculptor, prolific image maker, skilled painter, painstaking gilder, silversmith and mirror maker.His workshop, large and prosperous, located near San Francisco, was a centre of great activity. There is a large number of artworks by the master Bernardo de Legarda in the different churches in the capital of Ecuador that attest to his genius. Amongst his most important artworks is the main altarpiece of the Church of La Merced in Quito, as well as the altarpiece of the Temple of the Jesuits.
This relief is especially remarkable because there are very few artworks by Legarda on the market today, and even fewer with this type of relief carving.
Its small size and quality, together with its magnificent polychromy, make this relief a coveted jewel that could certainly be a museum piece.
The sweet expressions of the characters, who seem oblivious to the scene depicted where Saint Barbara is about to have her throat slit, are classic Legarda. This type of expression and idealised faces reminiscent of porcelain dolls are repeated over and over again in his sculpture. It is sufficient to see just some of his works to notice that this was undoubtedly the great Master of kind, serene and sweet faces.
We take two artworks by the author as typological references of his relief carving. On the one hand, a relief sculptural ensemble conceived within its own niche, representing the Apocalyptic Immaculate Virgin with a choir of angels, in the BEAEP Cultural Center Museum. And on the other hand, an exquisite relief sculpture of a larger size representing the Assumption of Mary, in the Church of San Francisco, in Quito, Ecuador. Furthermore, when analysing the carving, we compared its clothing, polychromy and sweet features with those of the Archangel Saint Gabriel in the same church in Quito; and also with the Archangel Saint Michael of the Primate Cathedral of Quito, whose sweet face is especially reminiscent of that of the Saint Barbara we have here.
Viceregal Masters. Allegories, legends and sanctity.
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 112
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
Zu Aufgeld und Mehrwertsteuer prüfen Sie bitte das jeweilige Los.
For premiums and taxes please refer to the particular lot.
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, at total 29,64 % on Hammer Price.
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".
