Peter de Witte, called Candid Bruges circa 1548 - 1628 Munich

Peter Candid emigrated from the Netherlands to Florence as a child where he probably started his artistic apprenticeship.  Between 1572 and 1573 he worked with Giorgio Vasari on the frescoes of the Sala Regia in the Vatican.  He also painted a number of large, grand altarpieces in Volterra.  In 1586, he entered the service of Maximilian of Bavaria, leaving Tuscany for Munich.

The strong influence of Vasari is evident in this elegant panel depicting St. Margaret of Antioch and indicates that it was painted while Candid was living in Florence.  When sold in 1938 (see Provenance), it was with a companion of the same size (lot 242) depicting St. Catherine of Alexandria whose cult was often linked to that of St. Margaret's.  According to legend, St. Margaret was cast into prison by the governor or Antioch and was swallowed whole by the devil in the form of a dragon.  Armed with a cross, she pierced its belly and split the monster open, allowing her to walk free.  She was eventually beheaded.