Flemish school of the late 16th century

Flemish school of the late 16th century.
"Saint Andrew.
Carved wood.
Provenance: Belgian private collection, 2023.
Measurements: 62 x 21 x 15 cm.

The sculpture of St. Andrew presents a frontal work, being a carving of half bulk probably intended for a niche. The quality of the drapery stands out, whose broken folds are combined with naturalistic undulations. Under the tunic, a bare foot is visible. The bearded face conveys depth and melancholy. The locks of hair have been worked with accurate incisions. This is a late Renaissance piece from the Flemish school, characterized by the collected serenity of the posture and the countenance, as well as by the plasticity of the finishes. We identify St. Andrew by the attribute of his martyrdom, the cross on a pole on which he was crucified.
As narrated in "The Golden Legend", St. Andrew was in Achaia, where he founded several churches and converted a large part of the population to Christianity, including the wife of the proconsul Aegeas. The latter discovered what had happened and, furious, wanted to force the Christians to offer sacrifices to idols. St. Andrew tried to convince him to desist, but the proconsul ordered him imprisoned. He was hung on the cross but not nailed to it, so that he would take longer to die and thus prolong his suffering. During the two days of suffering, St. Andrew did not stop preaching, attracting many people who came to listen to him. The crowd soon rioted against Egeas, who, in the face of such threats, tried to free him. However, St. Andrew said: "Why do you come? I will not come down alive from here; I already see my King waiting for me". They tried to untie him, but he prevented them by praying the prayer that began: "Do not allow, Lord, that they take me down alive from here. It is time for my body to be delivered to the earth". As he said these words, St. Andrew was enveloped by a light from heaven and immediately the apostle died.