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Mearini Fine Art

Venetian Master (Michele Linder from Hamburg?)
Crucifix, circa 1490
Alder wood
H 115 x W 92 x D 16 cm
Recto and verso hallowed out and juxtaposed to recompose the figure
Expertise Prof.ssa Serenella Castri
Provenance: private collection, Italy
Exhibition: 'Sculptura' Capolavori Italiani dal XIII al XX secolo, Modena 2023

This is an absolute masterpiece within the production of wooden Crucifixes of the late XV century in Venice. This is a sculpture of exceptional technical skill. The ‘construction’ technique is unique : the figure of the Christ is obtained from two alder wood valves dug inside and therefore fit together more then perfectly. Even more emblematic is the dramatic introspection of its carving, whose executive value is comparable to that of ivories, and, above all we can attribute it to around 1490, the highest moment of the Venetian Renaissance. In Venice, the production of wooden crucifixes had as a reference model, the famous monumental Crucifix (ca.1468/75) of the basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, from which a varied series of examples derived until the first decades of XVI century. The expressive suggestion of ‘German’ models certainly contributed to the very original characteristic of these sculptures, especially thanks to the presence in Venice of skilled carvers from Northen Europe.

The attribution to Michele Linder from Hamburg, resident in the district of Santi Marcuola and Fortunato, is very strong. Linder was one of the most estemeed wood carvers in Venice and the most famous artist in sculpting ivory crucifixes.