90 - ST. LEON THE GREAT, first half of the 18th century.

ST. LEON THE GREAT, first half of the 18th century. Carved and sculpted wooden bust in the round. The drapery of the cope shows traces of gilding and “estofado” decoration imitating fine fabrics. On the saint’s chest—who, according to religious and popular tradition, is recognized as a protector against drought—there is a small recessed oval that presumably once contained the saint’s relics. The work, attributable to an unknown sculptor of the late Baroque tradition active in the early decades of the 18th century, follows well-established models with a certain rigidity. The Holy Pontiff is depicted with his customary attributes: the tiara and the book. The ornate base, which was likely not originally part of the bust, is carved and sculpted with festoons and volutes. CONDITION REPORT The artifact has missing sections, breaks, and areas where decorative elements have fallen off. The base shows repainting of the polychrome and gilding. Dimensions: 88 x 42 x 28 cm. SAINT LEO THE GREAT, first half of the 18th century. Carved and sculpted wooden bust in the round. The drapery of the cope shows traces of gilding and “estofado” decoration imitating precious fabrics. On the saint’s chest—recognized by religious and popular tradition as a protector against drought—a small recessed oval likely originally contained the saint’s relics. The artifact, attributed to an unknown sculptor of the Late Baroque tradition working in the early decades of the 18th century, reinterprets widely established models with a certain rigidity. The holy Pontiff displays his customary attributes: the tiara and the book. The ornate base, which likely did not originally belong to the bust, is carved and sculpted with swags and scrolls. CONDITION REPORT The artifact exhibits losses, breakages, and missing sections of the decoration. The base shows repainting on the polychrome and gilding. Dimensions: 88 x 42 x 28 cm.