796 - CIRCLE OF JUAN DE ANCHETA (Azpeitia, c. 1533 – Pamplona, ​​1588) - Saint Isaiah. Spanish School of the 16th Century

CIRCLE OF JUAN DE ANCHETA (Azpeitia, c. 1533 – Pamplona, ​​1588) - Saint Isaiah. Spanish School of the 16th Century Carved, polychromed, and gilded wood. Dimensions: 81 x 64 x 34 cm. This sculpture represents the prophet Isaiah, one of the key figures of the Old Testament and one of the major prophets whose iconography achieved widespread popularity in Spanish Renaissance religious sculpture. The work depicts the saint standing, draped in flowing robes with deep folds, and conceived with a marked monumentality that demonstrates an understanding of the Romanist models prevalent in the second half of the 16th century. The carving shows clear affinities with the work of the circle of Juan de Ancheta, one of the most prominent sculptors of the Spanish Renaissance and a key figure in the introduction of Michelangelo's and Romanist styles to Navarre and the northern territories of the Iberian Peninsula. Likely trained in contact with the major centers of Castilian sculpture and connected to the artistic circles that disseminated Italian innovations, Ancheta developed a style characterized by the monumentality of his figures, their anatomical vigor, the elegance of their movements, and the richness of their drapery—traits that profoundly influenced numerous workshops and followers. In this sculpture, the expressive power of the face, the meticulous execution of the beard and hair, and the architectural treatment of the drapery stand out, all elements that directly reflect the formal repertoire developed by the master and his circle. The polychromy and gilding further enhance the visual presence of the image, underscoring its devotional character. Based on its stylistic characteristics and quality of execution, the work can be reliably placed within the circle of Juan de Ancheta, constituting a remarkable example of 16th-century Spanish Romanist sculpture. Due to its age and history of use, this lot may show signs of wear and previous interventions. Unless ...