German or Austrian, Danube School, circa 1520-1530

Private collection, Barcelona, Spain

Overall the condition of the wood is good with dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is stable splitting to the wood throughout. Some splits are slightly open, notably to Anne's face and neck, to the drapery at the front and to the terrasse. There appears to be a wood insert and some fill to the open splits in Anne's face. There are a few losses, including to Joachim's finger tips and to the edges of the drapery. There is evidence of inactive worming throughout, and notably to the back, to Anne's headdress and running down her dress at the front. The nature of the worming suggests that the group was formerly polychromed; this has been stripped. A few remnants of polychromy remain, including at the back and at Joachim's proper right arm. There is knot in the wood to Joachim's proper right shoulder which has been hollowed out. A section of Joachim's cloak on his proper right side is carved separately, and there are a few wood inserts in this area. There are losses to the bottom section of the base on the right side, and there are various chips, including to the edges of the base and to Anne's headdress. There are two metal mounts holding a wire for hanging at the back. There is particular dirt to the back. The bottom section of the base is later.
"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."

The nervous exaggerated folds of the drapery together with the melancholic heavy expressions of Joachim and Saint Anne show the influence of the Bavarian master Hans Leinberger (active 1513-1530). Note in particular the figure of Mary Magdalene of circa 1520 in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum illustrated by Muller. Further comparisons can be made with figures from the Danube School of the early 16th century, in particular with sculpture attributed to the circle of the Master I.P., such as the large relief of the Holy Family (Louvre op.cit.).

RELATED LITERATURE
T. Muller, Die Bildwerke in Holz, Ton und Stein von der Mitte des 15. bis gegen Mitte des 16. Jahrhunderts. Katalog des Bayerischen Nationalmuseums München, Vol. XIII, 2, Munich, 1959, p. 223; M. Baxandall, The Limewood Sculptors of Renaissance Germany, New Haven and London, 1980, pp. 202-216; A. Legner, Die Kunst der Donauschule 1490-1540, Sankt Florian, 1965; Sculptures Allemandes de la fin du Moyen Age dans les collections publiques francaises 1400-1530, exh. cat. Musée du Louvre, Paris, 1991-1992, pp. 263-265, cat. no. 77