UNKNOWN GOTHIC MASTER, sculptor
(15th century)

Pilgrim

1450-60
Wood, height: 79,5 cm
Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest

This carving is one of the few Gothic carvings originating from the Transdanubian Region (Western Hungary). It is also rare on account of the subject. Legend has it that, in the third century, St. Anthony the Hermit retired to a mountain in Egypt where he lived in a rock-hewn grave for twenty years. Beseeched by his followers, he then founded a monastery. This is suggested in the carving by rocks and a church on the peak of a mountain. St. Anthony is shown wearing a broad-brimmed pilgrim's hat; a pilgrim's bag can be seen on his left. His head rests on the hand which he grasps his staff. The same saint is depicted similarly seated against rocks in fifteenth century south German sculpture; for instance in a carving from Machtolsheim and another from the Ulm school of art. The only difference between these and the carving from Zalaszentgrót is that in the latter St. Anthony is not surrounded by the rocks but, leaning forward, seems to carry them on his back. Thus the carving gives the effect of a bracket figure. The sharply cut shapes forming the mass of the rocks are in contrast to the soft folds of the robe gathered over the lap of the saint, and the same dissimilarity exists in the carving of these details in the south German statues mentioned above. The detailed representation of the garment buttoned on the right shoulder and worn with a belt, is characteristic of the age and shows an interest in costume.


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