Lot 329: A South Netherlandish Boxwood figure of Saint Peter, By Francois van Loo, First Half 17th Century

with ebonized pupils, holding a book under his left arm, formerly with keys in in his right hand, his left foot resting on two books, the integrally carved cylindrical base carved St PETRUS and signed underneath with the monogram FVL, together with a pair of German boxwood figures of Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, late 16th century. Three pieces.

measurements note heights from left to right: 6 3/8 , 6 1/4 , 6 1/4 in.; 16.2, 15.9, 15.9 cm.

PROPERTY OF A NEW YORK STATE COLLECTION
RELATED LITERATURE Die Bildwerke des Deutschen Museums, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, 1923-30, v. 4, pp. 109-114

The Malines sculptor Francois van Loo (also van Loy, Verloy), maître in 1607 and active until at least 1654, is known for a series of figures of Christ and the apostles which probably decorated the predella of an altar. The present Saint Peter appears to be of that series, as it bears the FVL monogram and closely resembles the facial features, smooth drapery style, and cylindrical base with the carved name in high relief seen on the figures of Christ, Saint James the Greater, and Saint Philip in Berlin (Bildwerke, op. cit., nos. 7713, 7714, 7715). Another from the series, Saint Andrew, is in the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest.