German, Lower Bavaria, circa 1510

Private collection, Germany

Overall the condition of the sculpture is good, with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. There is a loss to the background on the figures' proper left side behind Anne's drapery, and there are a few further losses to the terrasse at the front and Anne's proper right foot. There is evidence of past worming in several areas, including to Anne's head, the Virgin's hair and chest, the Child's arms and proper left leg, and around the terrasse. There are several small losses, probably due to worming, including to the Virgin's proper left thumb, to her drapery around the feet, and to the architectural moulding on the proper left side. There are several losses to the polychromy, notably to the Virgin's proper left temple, knees and hip, to the Child's proper right knee, and to the high points of Anne's drapery around the legs. There is further wear to the polychromy throughout, including to the flesh tones, where the white ground has been revealed in areas, including to Anne's face and the Child. There is an area of wax fill to the Child's proper left forearm and abdomen. A section of wood by Anne's proper right shoulder is carved separately and attached with metal mounts, which is visible at the back. Some stable splitting to the wood, consistent with the material, and areas of loss due to worming, are visible at the back. There is a modern metal hook at the back. The composition is mounted on a later thin wood board.
"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 broad forms and sweet smiles of this charming group of St Anne, the Virgin and Child and two angels relate to the work of the Lower Bavarian sculptor Hans Leinberger. Compare, for example, his Virgin and Child surrounded by playful putti in Polling (Landshut, op. cit., p. 34), and the Child's similarly plump thighs. The general composition of an Anna Selbdritt in front of an architectural background flanked by angels was popular throughout Southern German and Austria (see Louvre, op. cit., nos. 41 and 50).

RELATED LITERATURE
T. Müller, Die Bildwerke in Holz, Ton und Stein von der Mitte des XV. bis gegen Mitte des XVI. Jahrhunderts, cat. Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich, 1959, pp. 207-221; Sculptures allemandes de la fin du Moyen Age dans les collections publiques françaises 1400-1530, exh. cat. Musée du Louvre, Paris, 1991; Um Leinberger. Schüler und Zeitgenossen, exh. cat. Spitalkirche Heiliggeist, Landshut, 2007