A Jesuit Saint

This is one of a pair of statues which would have formed part of the sculptural decoration of an altar. There are traces of gilding on the hem and sleeves, and it is likely that the entire figure was originally painted. The statue is of limewood, a material widely used by south German sculptors. Although not particularly abundant, its even grain and easily-worked texture made it much sought after for carving. The lime tree had holy and spiritual significance in German folklore. Artists had to treat the wood with care. This made the process of sculpting more meaningful.