An Austrian gilt, silvered and painted limewood Pietà, attributed to Lienhart Astl, circa 1515-20, Salzburg

Kremayr Collection, Vienna

Overall standard surface abrasions and small losses throughout. Some worming, particularly to reverse. Some age cracks including three vertical cracks extending upward from the bottom approximately 5 inches and one vertical crack from ground through lower edge of Crown of Thorns. This has been restored with linen, some wood fill, and a wedge of wood in the reverse. A nail through Christ's head and an iron staple on the underside have been added to stabilize. Rubbing and losses to polychrome and very minor areas of refreshed paint.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This elegantly carved Pietà can be compared with a relief of St. Anna Selbdritt by the Meister Astl around 1520 in the parish Church of Bischofshofen (see Tiriniek, op. cit., no. 265). This catalogue discusses the stylistic link between the Anna Selbdritt relief and the signed altarpiece by Astl known as the Hallstatter aria altar. Note also the Anna Selbdritt in Aurachkirchen and an altar relief of St. Catherine in the Nonnberger Stiftskirche in Salzburg.

RELATED LITERATURE

E. Sanser, Ein Neuses Astlewerk, Christliche Kunstblätter, 93, 1955
E. Sanser, Der Hallstätter Marenaltar von Meister Astle, Hallstatt, 1956
E.M. Tiriniek, Studien zu Lienhart Astl, Diss, Vienna, 1976
Spätgotik in Salzburg, (exh. cat.) Salzburg, 1976