Circle of Hans Multscher (circa 1400-1467) German, Ulm, circa 1430-1440

Overall the condition of the sculpture is good, with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. The crown and the proper left hand are replaced. The polychromy of the dress and cloak are refreshed. There is flaking and some loss to the polychromy, incuding to the face, the cloak, and the proper right hand. There is also minor craquelure, in particular to the face and neck. There is minor evidence of past worming, including to the forehead, the sides, and the back. There is some stable splitting to the wood consistent with the material, in particular around the bottom. There are some losses around the bottom, including to the tip of her proper left foot and the fold of drapery around the terrasse. There are a few further minor losses, including to the edges of the drapery.
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This lively figure of St Catherine may be associated with the early work of one of the foremost late Gothic sculptors active in Ulm, Hans Multscher. The rich drapery and contrapposto stance are seen in Multscher's female figures from the second quarter of the fifteenth century, such as the Virgin and Child in Landsberg am Lech; note also the similarity of facial features and expression with those of the Mary Magdalene dated to the 1420s. Although the present figure's slender forms are not typical of female figures by the sculptor, they find a comparison in the fragmented Angels surrounding 'Karg-Nische' at Ulm Minster of 1433, which are also characterised by their animated drapery. It is likely that the St Catherine was executed by a sculptor from Multscher's close circle, if not his own workshop.

RELATED LITERATURE
Hans Multscher: Bildhauer der Spätgotik in Ulm, exh. cat. Ulmer Museum, Ulm, 1997, pp. 41, 168, and 306-309

An expertise by Professor Hartmut Krohm is available upon request.