Saint Christopher
sculptor
Unknown
Dateearly 16th century
Place MadeNorthern Italy, Italy, Europe
MediumIstrian Stone
Dimensions109.2 x 41.9 cm (43 x 16 1/2 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberS10s1
eMuseum ID728294
EmbARK ObjectID11433
TMS Source ID642
Last Updated8/14/24
Status
Not on viewWeb Commentary
Made of Istrian stone, this sculpture of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child watches over the North Cloister. Saint Christopher is the patron saint and protector of travelers in Christian religions. According to legend, he carried the Christ Child over a river, and, as a reward, his walking staff turned into a flowering fruit tree. Isabella positioned this statue close to the lush, verdant courtyard—perhaps in reference to his flowery staff.
BibliographyNotesCatalogue. Fenway Court. (Boston, 1903), p. 3. (as "figure of S. Christopher")
Gilbert Wendel Longstreet and Morris Carter. General Catalogue (Boston, 1935), pp. 62-63. (as North Italian, late 15th century)
Cornelius C. Vermeule III et al. Sculpture in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1977), pp. 141-42, no. 175. (as North Italian, early 16th century)
Kathleen King, "Saint Christopher: World's Best Travel Companion," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 21 February 2023, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/saint-christopher-worlds-best-travel-companion
Gilbert Wendel Longstreet and Morris Carter. General Catalogue (Boston, 1935), pp. 62-63. (as North Italian, late 15th century)
Cornelius C. Vermeule III et al. Sculpture in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1977), pp. 141-42, no. 175. (as North Italian, early 16th century)
Kathleen King, "Saint Christopher: World's Best Travel Companion," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 21 February 2023, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/saint-christopher-worlds-best-travel-companion
ProvenanceNotesPurchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner from the antique dealer A. Clerle, Venice for 200 lire on 27 September 1897.
Object/Provenance
