Carved and polychromed poplar bust of Saint Peter of Verona. - Lot 23

Carved and polychromed poplar bust of Saint Peter of Verona. Dressed in the Dominican habit, the saint has a large wound at the top of his skull, with blood trickling down to his neck. Northern Italy, Lombardy, 14th century H. 31.7 cm - L. 23.8 cm On a plinth with backsplash (cracked, wormholes on back, polychromy removed) Saint Peter of Verona (1205-1252) was a Dominican preacher and inquisitor charged with combating the Cathar heresy in northern Italy in the mid-13th century. On April 6, 1252, he was murdered by Carino Pietro de Balsamo. According to tradition, the latter was overcome with remorse and entered the Dominican order himself, before dying in the odor of sanctity. As for Peter of Verona, he was declared a saint by Innocent IV just eleven months after his death, making him the fastest canonization in history. Works consulted - R. Grandi, I Monumenti Dei Dottori E La Scultura A Bologna (1267-1348), Istituto per la Storia di Bologna, 1982, p. 259-260 and n°168 p. 345