Saint Lambert de Maestricht from Liège (?), Liège, around 1510-1520, oak and walnut, original polychromy. Late Gothic sculpture. Musée du Cinquantenaire (Brussels, Belgium). Made from 20 pictures with MetaShape from Agisoft.

Saint Lambert, bishop of Maestricht, was assassinated in the 9th century by members of the Frankish nobility. His successor, Hubert, had his relics transported to Liège. Lambert wears a bishop’s miter and a rationale on his shoulders. This is a distinctive sign attributed to certain episcopal seats, including that of cork.

From the 15th century, the sculptors represent characters more and more realistic, with individualized features. They create figures that can be viewed from all sides and that tend towards more expressiveness. The game of draped clothes becomes more complicated and seems animated with a life of its own.

For more updates, please consider to follow me on Twitter at @GeoffreyMarchal.