Lot 11
11
A SPANISH POLYCHROME AND GILTWOOD RELIEF OF ST. JULIAN
A SPANISH POLYCHROME AND GILTWOOD RELIEF OF ST. JULIAN

16TH CENTURY

Details
A SPANISH POLYCHROME AND GILTWOOD RELIEF OF ST. JULIAN
16th Century
Depicting the forlorn saint who stands between two entombed figures lying in a sarcophagus, he wears a mitre and holds a staff in his left hand and a small boat in his right, within a later beveled wood frame, with painted inventory number
18in. (47cm.) high, 16in. (41cm.) wide

Lot Essay

Tradition tells that St. Julian, known as the Hospitaller and patron of ferrymen, killed his parents when he mistook them for strangers. To atone for their murder, he set out on a pilgrimage and built a hospital near a dangerous river to tend to weary travellers. One stormy night, Julian risked his life to save a leper and tended to him through the night. The next morning, the leper transformed into an angel, symbolizing God's forgiveness. The saint is depicted here standing over his parents holding one of his traditional attributes, the boat.