Late Gothic Polychromed Oak Sculpture of an Apostle

Carved in oak and retaining extensive traces of its original polychromy, this finely modelled late Gothic sculpture represents an apostolic figure, traditionally identified as Saint James the Great. The saint is shown standing, robed in flowing drapery painted in tones of blue, green and red, his left hand holding a closed book, symbol of the Gospels, and his right grasping a long pilgrim’s staff. His head is turned slightly, the features sensitively carved, framed by a beard and cap.
The presence of the staff accords with the common iconography of Saint James the Great, patron of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. In most late medieval depictions he also wears the scallop shell, here absent, suggesting that the identification—though likely—cannot be asserted with certainty. The attributes equally mark him as an apostolic figure, emphasising his role as preacher and witness to the faith.