Lot 846. Augsburg School, second half 15th century, Saint Christopher. Oil on panel, 93 x 84 cm. Estimate: € 100,000 to 200,000. Photo Hampel. 

So painted on the reverse and with remains of reliefs removed. Museum quality, almost square wing of an altar. Large format, full figure depiction of Saint Christopher did is almost taking up the Entire surface of the panel. The saint is striding over a river using a mighty tree trunk as a stick and with Whose assistance he Seems to be jumping to the other side of the riverbank. He is Depicted wearing a brown-beige travel coat, lined in red, with short trousers revealing his bare legs. His upper body is slightly bent to he left and the Christ Child is sitting on his shoulders wearing a blue dress with a red cloak and holding the crossed globe in his left hand while his right hand is raised in a gesture benediction. The child's head is surrounded by a halo and the saint's long-bearded head is turned towards it. The banks on Either side of the river, All which is meandering into the background, are edged with staggered rocks. A monk with a lantern is standing on one of the rocks on the right. 

Notes: This Could Possibly hint at the work having been commissioned by a monastery. It has not yet been resolved who the master of this painting may be but the high quality does not rule out on important name. The circle of Hans Holbein the Elder (ca. 1465-1524) or works by Bernhard Strigel (1460-1528) come to mind, Whose eccentric postures for example in the painting of the Sleeping Guards can therefore be found in the present painting. The painting is in very good overall condition.

Hampel. Paintings XVI - XVIII century. Thursday, September 22, 2016