BUST OF SAINT CATHERINE Probably Swabia or the Middle Rhine region, circa 1510–20.

BUST OF SAINT CATHERINE

Probably Swabia or the Middle Rhine region, circa 1510–20.
Limewood, partly pierced and carved, flattened at the back, polychrome painted and parcel-gilt. Half-length figure of a crowned female saint in contemporary dress with pleated sleeves.
H 44.5 cm.
Attribute wheel missing (visible in the 1912 auction catalogue). Paintwork retouched. A few wormholes. Replacements to the hand.

Provenance:
- Collection of Johannes Noll (1863–1931), Frankfurt am Main.
- F. A. C. Prestel auction, *Collection of Johannes Noll*, Frankfurt am Main, 7/8 October 1912, Lot 34, illustrated on pl. 24.
- Unknown private collection, Frankfurt am Main.
- Anonymous collection, USA (according to Sotheby’s).
- Sotheby’s auction, New York, 30 January 2020, Lot 167, consigned by the above.
- Private collection, USA, acquired at the above auction.

Exhibited:
*Mittelalterliche Bildwerke aus Frankfurter Privatbesitz*. Exhibition at the Frankfurter Kunstverein, Frankfurt am Main, 7 August–4 October 1921, no. 110.

Literature:
Georg Swarzenski, *Mittelalterliche Bildwerke aus Frankfurter Privatbesitz. Ausstellung im Frankfurter Kunstverein*, Frankfurt am Main, 7 August–4 October 1921, no. 110, illus.

The present sculpture was on loan to the NYU Institute of Fine Arts Conservation Center from 2022 to 2025 for study and conservation purposes.