Saint Paul
Author: Unknown
Date: 16th century
Material: Polychromed wood
Dimensions (cm): H 56 x W 22,5 x D 14,5
Provenance: Guimarães, Casa da Aveleira
Inventory No.: MAS E 113
Sculpture representing Saint Paul, with a long, full beard and holding a book in his right hand. Saint Paul is called the Apostle of the Gentiles, on account of his vital role in the spreading of the Christianity among the pagan peoples.
This sculpture comes, together with five others [a Virgin (MAS E 116), two Angels (MAS E 117 and E 118), a Saint Pope (MAS E 114) and a Saint Bishop (MAS E 115)] from the chapel of the Casa da Aveleira. Given the similitude of dimensions and of the stylistic treatment, one thinks they might have been created for the same Renaissance altarpiece and, in spite of the damage caused by the wood worm they still allow a glimpse of a great quality of execution.