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Descriptif du lot
This small print of a standing figure man with his vestments, mitre and crozier and gesture of blessing is generally is generally understood to depict a bishop saint. Bartsch did not attempt to name him, while Passavant thought of Saint Hubert or Saint Eustace. Wurzbach identified him more convincingly as Saint Augustine, with which Lehrs tentatively concurred, although it seemed most likely to him that Schongauer deliberately omitted any unique attributes, to allow his print to serve other artists and artisans as a model for any depiction of a bishop.
The only trait that seems to distinguish him from most depictions of bishops is his beardless youth, which makes us think of Saint Louis of Toulouse.
Whoever he may be, the print is one of Schongauer's rarest. Hollstein records only 17 impressions in public collections, of which many are described as late, in poor condition or restored. To our knowledge no other example has been offered at auction within the last thirty years.
The only trait that seems to distinguish him from most depictions of bishops is his beardless youth, which makes us think of Saint Louis of Toulouse.
Whoever he may be, the print is one of Schongauer's rarest. Hollstein records only 17 impressions in public collections, of which many are described as late, in poor condition or restored. To our knowledge no other example has been offered at auction within the last thirty years.