Sant'anna In Gilded And Polychrome Wood From The Early 16th Century, Siena.

Important and rare sculpture in polychrome poplar wood depicting a Saint Anne, part of an ancient and more complex multi-figure group of Lamentation over the Dead Christ. The sculpture was excellently carved by a notable artist, as can be seen in some elements, such as the hands, a little griffin-like, movable and perfectly carved on the inside; the face perfectly smooth and softened by stylistic sensibilities of Northern or Burgundian origin; The clear cadence of the folds of the drapery. Also interesting is the pictorial decoration of the sculpture, which unfortunately is considerably compromised by the various varnishes received over the centuries. In fact, in addition to the golden part of the cloak, a little damaged, but all original, as can be seen from the particular engraved and painted decorations with geometric motifs that follow the entire edge of the saint's cloak, the lacquers of the robes in the blue and red part lit are posthumous and should be removed by careful restoration aimed at bringing the sculpture back to its original chromaticity, which very probably, in those areas inside the robe included a creamy white lacquer with decoration of phytoform spirals in gold, as can be seen by looking carefully at the sculpture.
The saint's face and hands have already been carefully cleaned and the posthumous layer of lacquer removed, providing us with the possibility of partially understanding the chromaticity and brightness of the colors originally used for the decoration.
The back part was carefully carved with an ax as usually happened for the processing of this type of wooden sculptures of the Italian Renaissance.

The cultural and artistic context of the work is that of the workshop of Lorenzo di Mariano known as Marrina (Siena 1476-1536), a renowned and skilled sculptor and stonemason who was the master builder in the work of the Siena cathedral and creator of the façade of the Piccolomini Library accessible from the same cathedral, had an important sculptural workshop in collaboration with his brothers and other assistants, largely active in the carving and processing of wooden sculpture.

The work presents a research expertise of Prof. Alessandro Del Priori which leads it back precisely to this area of ​​the Marrina of Siena with a dating between 1500 and 1510.
The sculpture is 150 cm tall.
We attach a certificate of authenticity and expertise on the work to the sale.