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Saint Norbert casts out evil spirits

Author, school, workshop
Norbertine monastic sculptor (?)
Style
Late Mannerism
Date
1662–1665
Material and technique
Oak wood; shallow relief
Size
Height 145 x width 85 cm
Location
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Wroclaw, Poland
Description
St Norbert, wearing a habit and wearing a biretta on his obese head, stands at the centre of the composition. In his left hand he holds an olive branch, while with his right he blesses a woman kneeling before him, from whom a winged demon has flown away. She is supported by a biretta-clad monk kneeling on his right. Standing behind him is a monk dressed the same way, his back turned. To the left is a small figure of a naked devil with a pitchfork. Behind him crouches a dwarf, and in front of the devil lies an upside-down jug from which a creeping reptile has been poured along with the liquid.

In the background are three monks (left) and three laymen (right), all facing the altar, which is on the far left and on which stand a candlestick with a burning candle and a cross. Above their heads fly two winged demons. Three brick arcades supported by two columns are depicted in the background. Each of these opens up a view of the barred, semi-circular closed windows.

Relief based on Th.Galle's engraving no.18 from the 'Vita S. Norberti' a book annotated and published by Ch. van der Sterre in Antwerp in 1622.