St Leonard

Created: early 18th century

Material, technology: painted and gilded limewood

Size: h.: 32 cm

Description: The abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Noblac in France, the 6th century saint had great popularity in the Middle Ages. He is also represented as a deacon; his attributes include the chain as he had freed many prisoners. His cult was spread by the Cistercians. He was especially revered in Bavaria and Austria. He was mainly represented in Transdanubia as the patron of the sick, of prisoners, shepherds, blacksmiths. The graceful statuette may have adorned a home altar, but it may as well have been a model for an altarpiece or a public statue.