Saint Luke
- Culture
- French
- Date
- late 15th century
- Material
- Limestone with traces of paint
- Classification
- Sculpture, stone & mineral
- Collection
- European Art to 1800
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 39 x 21 x 17 1/2 in. (99.1 x 53.3 x 44.5 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 12:1933
NOTES
Luke is traditionally shown as an evangelist, an author of a gospel account, accompanied by his symbol the ox. In this sculpture, Luke’s soft cap, voluminous cape, and belted robe portray him as a scholar—appropriate since he was also a physician. Additionally, Luke is the patron saint of artists, and in this work he may be painting a portrait of the Virgin Mary. The desk holds a panel with a curved top, suggestive of a painting rather than a text. Luke’s upturned gaze suggests observation as well as inspiration.
Provenance
by 1906 -
Victor Martin Le Roy (1842-1918), Paris, France [1]
- 1933
R. Stora and Company, New York, NY, USA
1933 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from R. Stora and Company [2]
Notes:
[1] According to a 1906 publication, the sculpture was in the collection of Victor Martin Le Roy [Koechlin, Raymond. "Catalogue raisonné de la collection Martin Le Roy." Vol. 2. Paris: MM Durand, 1906, cat. no. 47]. It is unknown how Le Roy acquired the sculpture.
[2] Bill of sale from R. Stora and Company dated May 4, 1933 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, May 4, 1933.
Victor Martin Le Roy (1842-1918), Paris, France [1]
- 1933
R. Stora and Company, New York, NY, USA
1933 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from R. Stora and Company [2]
Notes:
[1] According to a 1906 publication, the sculpture was in the collection of Victor Martin Le Roy [Koechlin, Raymond. "Catalogue raisonné de la collection Martin Le Roy." Vol. 2. Paris: MM Durand, 1906, cat. no. 47]. It is unknown how Le Roy acquired the sculpture.
[2] Bill of sale from R. Stora and Company dated May 4, 1933 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, May 4, 1933.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.