South German
Around 1500/20
Carved lime wood
Height 85 cm
This figure of a saint could be the convent founder, abbess, and mystic Hildegard von Bingen (Bermersheim 1098 - 1179 Bingen). Hildegard von Bingen was a natural healer who wrote down her knowledge of the powers of nature in two works for which she is still famous today as the "first writing doctor": Physica (Natural History) and Causae et curae (Causes and Treatment). These contain instructions on how to lead a healthy human life through healing with plants, animals, and precious stones as well as the elements. Hildegard von Bingen always emphasised that she received her knowledge as divine visions and was commissioned to write them down.
She is dressed here in the traditional garments with headscarf, the right knee of the playing leg protruding from under the garment. Her left hand is brought to her chest, and she looks down at the viewer; the figure seems to communicate directly with the intercessor. The wooden sculpture is striking for its voluminous drapery and numerous bowl-like configurations under the right sleeve and deeply carved grooved folds under the left arm. The garment ends in doughy fold on the base. Overall, this high-quality figure exhibits typical characteristics of late Gothic sculpture of c. 1500/20.
Bibliography:
The Big Book of Hildegard von Bingen. Proven healing knowledge for health and well-being, Cologne 2011.
