JULIEN CHAPUIS: This sculpture is characterized by an overall great refinement in the treatment of surfaces.

NARRATOR: Curator Julien Chapuis on this sculpture, thought to be of Saint Barbara.

JULIEN CHAPUIS: Look for instance at the hairnet, with all the pearls, and beads, and other ornaments. Or for instance, look at the hem of her dress. You will see that they are punched with a multitude of little circle marks, forming each time this sort of flower. Another wonderful detail is the two clasps that hold the Saint’s mantel together. The one on the left represents a figure, a naked figure with a bow and arrow. The figure on the other medallion appears to be a centaur and in all likelihood this was a depiction of the labors of Hercules This sculpture is also remarkable for the drapery, pulling most of the mantel toward the center and giving the sculpture a great dynamic and sense of life.

This sculpture in a sense marks the end of the Medieval collection, the end of Medieval art, and it is at the threshold of the Renaissance. The sculpture was made in Augsburg around 1510. Augsburg was the first city in Germany to adopt the ideals of the Italian Renaissance.