Lorenzo di Mariano detto il Marrina (Cerchia di)

Important and rare polychrome poplar wood sculpture depicting Saint Anne, part of an ancient and more complex multi-figure group of Lamentation over the Dead Christ. The sculpture was masterfully carved by a remarkable artist, as can be seen in some elements, such as the hands, a little claw-like, movable and perfectly carved on the inside; the perfectly smooth face softened by stylistic sensibilities of northern or Burgundian origin; the clear cadence of the folds of the draperies. Also interesting is the pictorial decoration of the sculpture, which unfortunately is significantly compromised by the various varnishes received over the centuries. In fact, in addition to the gilded part of the cloak, a little damaged, but all original, as can be seen from the particular decorations engraved and painted with geometric motifs that follow the entire edging of the saint's cloak, the lacquers of the garments in the blue and bright red part are posthumous and should be removed by careful restoration aimed at returning the sculpture to its original chromaticity, which most likely, in those areas inside the garment, provided for a cream-white lacquer with phytomorphic arabesque decoration in gold, as can be noted 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 what the chromaticity and luminosity of the colors originally used for the decoration were. The back part has been carefully hollowed out 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 il Marrina (Siena 1476-1536), a renowned and skilled sculptor and stonecutter who was master builder in the Opera del Duomo of Siena and creator of the facade of the Piccolomini Library accessible from the same cathedral, he had an important sculptural workshop in collaboration with his brothers and other assistants, active mainly in carving and processing of wooden sculpture. The work has an expertise research by Professor Alessandro Del Priori who traces it back to this area of the Marrina of Siena with a dating between 1500 and 1510. The sculpture is 150 cm high. We attach a certificate of authenticity and expertise on the work to the sale.