CHRISTOPH HEILMANN, (SWISS, 1550-1636/7) a late 16th/ early ...

Estimate

£4,000 - £6,000

CHRISTOPH HEILMANN, (SWISS, 1550-1636/7) a late 16th/ early 17thC stained glass armorial panel depicting a wild man carrying an uprooted tree and another holding a crescent moon in one hand and star in the other. Flanked to the left by a woman with banner and latin to top reading "corde confit crade ore ere operibus perfice bonis" loosely translates to "trust in the heart, be bold with the mouth and do good works" The armorial is part of a historic tradition of Swiss stained glass painting that flourished in the late 16thc into the 17thc. As a result of the reformation many churches shied away from monumental decoration meaning there was less work for stained glass artists. However a surge of wealthy patrons meant the art of stained glass took a new, less religious angle. People were keen to show their social status, services to the community and celebrate marriages meaning commissions for stained glass were popular. Styles and motifs are traceable in the collection preserved within the Vitromusee, Romont. The depictions of wilder mann (wild men), crescent moons and stars can be seen depicted by many different artists of a period over a century in Swiss armorial glass.

https://www.vitrosearch.ch/en/objects/2562214

In England wild men were known as woodwoses and were popular during the medieval period. They can be found carved into stone or wood in some Norfolk and Suffolk churches, (Mendlesham, Orford, Happisburgh, North Walsham, etc). Medieval examples were depicted as more fearsome and some examples show wild men carrying children over their shoulder