Collection Guide
Collection Guide
French; St. Christopher, last quarter 15th century; limestone; 31 x 27 x 15 in.; Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Purchase 3:1934
This audio guide demonstrates the interconnectivity of artistic traditions across the globe over a span of 1,000 years. During the Middle Ages in Europe, the shift of political, religious, and trade networks resulted in greater access to materials, techniques, and opportunities for exchange.
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AUDIO GUIDE TRANSCRIPT
The transcript for each audio track is available in expandable sections of individual object pages.
St. Christopher, last quarter 15th century
French
- Transcript
Speaker
Maggie Crosland
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow in Late Medieval European Art
Saint Louis Art Museum“You will not die a bad death on that day, if you look upon an image of St. Christopher.” This quote comes from a 15th-century biography of the saint and may explain the function of this limestone sculpture. A “good” versus “bad” death in the European, Christian Middle Ages did not refer to the possibility of a peaceful or painful death. Rather, this distinction indicated whether or not someone was prepared for heaven. Images of St. Christopher, like this, were often displayed at the exits of churches to be seen by many, to act as a sort of spiritual insurance.
The large size of this sculpture did not just make it more visible, but it likely refers to medieval descriptions of the saint. According to legend, St. Christopher was a giant and stood at 18 feet tall. Images of the saint often refer to his large size, and this sculpture would itself have originally been taller than it is today. Look carefully at Christopher’s shoulders to see the remnants of a foot on one side and a knee on the other. A sculpted child would have originally sat on his shoulders, referring to a popular story that St. Christopher carried the Christ Child over a wide river.
- Gallery Text
French, Burgundian, or Flemish
St. Christopher, last quarter 15th century
limestoneWith his waist slightly twisted and his right arm raised upwards, this monumental figure appears to be in the process of taking a step forward. The sculpture depicts St. Christopher, who according to legend was a man of great size who dedicated his life to ferrying people over a river. One day, a young boy asked to be taken across on his shoulders, but became heavier as Christopher waded through the water. Upon reaching the other side, the child revealed himself to be Christ, telling Christopher he had carried the weight of the world. The right knee and left foot of Christ are seen at the shoulders of the sculpture.
As a result of this story, Christopher was considered a patron saint of travelers. Viewing his image was also thought to protect against an unexpected death. Works like this were often displayed at the doorways to churches to provide spiritual defense to worshippers as they exited.
Museum Purchase 3:1934
Credits
French; St. Christopher, last quarter 15th century; limestone; 31 x 27 x 15 in.; Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Purchase 3:1934