Maker Unknown

Sculptor's Workshop Relief

Date: 19th century

Place Made: Germany

Materials & Techniques: Limewood

Dimensions: 19 cm x 26 cm

Accession Number: The Bowes Museum, X.850

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The subject of this wood carving is a sculptor’s workshop. On the back wall is a row of chisels, neatly arranged so that they can be easily selected for the job in hand. The sculptures are shown being carved either at a bench or upright on a rotating stand. The carving also shows two finished products – a Madonna hung on the wall supported by a carved stand, and a figure of Christ on the Cross. It is almost a story within a story. The piece is possibly made of limewood, which is a good wood for carving as it has a very close grain.

The carving is in relief. This means that the figures that are carved stand out from the background and it is the background that has been chiselled away to make the picture. It is not known who made this piece or why, however we think that it was made in Germany in the 19th century. The piece is bent (warped). This could be due to a number of things including the conditions it has been kept in over time. The piece is unfinished and the sculptor's pencil sketches on the surface are still visible.

Teachers' Information

This piece would serve an interesting introduction to the study of sculpture as the tools of the sculptors can be seen in the piece.

Christian iconography or imagery was a lucrative business for sculptors and carvers. This was particularly true of Catholic countries where imagery was viewed as an important emotional link between man and God.

Activities

1. Pupils could search for Madonna and Child images on the web. Look at the materials, techniques, size and period to chart how this iconography has changed over time. Look at the skill involved in producing these types of images and have a go at recreating some.

2. Have a class discussion about why you think that this piece would have been made. What did the sculptor want you to think about, was it simply the religious aspects or was it more to do with telling a story of his own skill and workshop practices?