Figure of a Female Saint

The sculptural representation demonstrates a full-length figure of a female saint in a frontal, solemn pose with a barely perceptible turn of the head, which imparts an inner dynamism to the image. The contrapposto figure, whose arms are bent at the elbows and extended forward with open palms, is simultaneously characterised by a certain statical quality.
The elongated, oval, softly modelled face is framed by thick strands of wavy hair that cascade gently onto the shoulders in rhythmic curves. The high forehead, clear arches of the eyebrows, expressive almond-shaped blue eyes, and small, tightly closed lips are treated in a generalised manner, conveying a palpable lyrical contemplation characteristic of Baroque sacred plastic art. Her gaze, directed straight ahead, lends a spiritual focus to the image.
The saint is dressed in a long tunic with a deep square neckline, belted at the waist. Over it, a cloak fastened at the chest wraps around the shoulders and cascades slowly downwards, creating an impression of monumentality. The saint's garments are defined by heavy, deep lines of vertical drapery, which form a distinct, Gothic rhythm of angular, crumpled folds in the lower section. The plasticity of the fabric is conveyed through the contrast of convex ridges and deep shadow recesses, giving the attire a particular grandeur and decorative expressiveness. The sculpture is entirely gilded, with only the face and hands finished in polychrome with warm flesh tones, creating a striking contrast between the matte carnation and the gleaming gold of the robes.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery