Workshop of the Master of Osnabrück German, Westphalia, early 16th century

inscribed: Roselh. / 1685 in ink to the reverse, inscribed: B3038 twice to the underside, and with two labels to the underside inscribed respectively: Roselius-Haus Bremen and: 1685

Ernst and Agathe Saulmann;
their forced sale, Weinmüller, Munich, 26-27 June 1936, lot 157;
Ludwig Roselius, Bremen;
Roseliushaus Bremen;
restituted to the heirs of Ernst and Agathe Saulmann, 2016

Overall the condition of the wood is good, with some wear and dirt to the surface consistent with age. the sculpture was formerly polychromed, this has been removed and a varnish was applied. Remnants of polychromy are visible particularly at the back. There are a few very minor losses, including to the thumb of the proper left hand, one of the corners of the book, and around the bottom edge. There are a few minor chips and nicks, in particular to the high points of the drapery. There is some stable splitting to the wood consistent with the material, notably to the saint's proper right side, and to the reverse at the bottom where there are some slightly open splits. There is some very minor evidence of past worming in areas such as the proper left arm at the back, and more significantly to the underside where there are some losses due to worming. A section of the base is carved separately and a small piece of wood has been attached to the underside to stabilise the sculpture on an even surface. There is a small hole to the saint's back below the hair, and a small old metal pin to the hat above the saints forehead.
"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 present Saint Roch relates to the work of the Master of Osnabrück, a Notname referring to a leading sculptor, or several, active in and around the Westphalian city during the early 16th century. The physiognomy and drapery - including the revers fold around the right arm - are directly comparable to a version of the same subject by the so-called Hauptmeister (Manske, op. cit., no. 33, fig. 20). Compare also the group of Apostles attributed to his workshop in the Diözesanmuseum, Osnabrück (ibid., no. 92, figs. 7-10). The imagination of the carver responsible for the present figure is seen particularly in the charming, leonine dog accompanying the Saint.

RELATED LITERATURE
H. Manske, Der Meister von Osnabrück: Osnabrücker Plastik um 1500, Osnabrück, 1978