Rhénanie, Clèves, vers 1500-20, attribué à Dries Holthuys La Vierge à l'Enfant et Sainte Anne

Gegen den Strom. Meisterwerke niederrheinischer Skulptur in Zeiten der Reformation 1500-1550, cat. exp. Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum, Aix-la-Chapelle, 1996, p. 244, n° 34; R. Karrenbrock, Dries Holthuys. Ein Meister des Mittelalters aus Kleve, Clèves, 2002, p. 148-50, n°30.                                                                                                                                                        

Very good condition overall. Remains of original polychromy, with some minor repaints to the faces, Christ's hair and the veil of Saint Anne. A few fine vertical fissures to the wood, one in the front from the Virgins right elbow going down to the seam of her dress, two long fissures to the back of the group. Christ's proper right hand and his proper left foot partly missing, a small dent to his thumb. The Virgin's proper left hand with some dents, the handle of Saint Anne's basket with one break and small lack. Very rare sculpture with fine carving and in good overall condition which can be highly recommended.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ce groupe de la Vierge à l'Enfant et Sainte Anne en chêne polychrome est tout à fait caractéristique de la sculpture gothique tardive de la Rhénanie, notamment les oeuvres d'artistes ayant travaillé dans l'entourage de Henrik Douvermann (1490-1543) et Dries Holthuys. Ce dernier, moins connu, fut actif dans la ville de Clèves à la fin du XVe et au début du XVIe siècle. Les doux visages ovales au nez pointu, les yeux en amande finement dessinés, le traitement des plis triangulaires profonds des vêtements soulignant le déhanchement du corps ainsi que le modelé fin de la chevelure permettent de reconnaître dans ce groupe l'influence de Holthuys, dont une Vierge à l'Enfant et Sainte Anne, datant vers 1480-1500, est conservée au musée de Clèves.