Jean Del Cour (1627-1707), Flanders, circa 1680 Immaculate Virgin / Immaculate of Herckenrode Figure in carved and gilded wood Resting on a fully carved rectangular base H. 46 cm (18 ¼ in.) Comparative bibliography: R. Lesuisse, Le Sculpteur Jean Del Cour, 1953, p. 110, pl. 49. A giltwood figure of the Madonna Immaculata, Jean Del Cour (1627-1707), Flemish, circa 1680 *Information for buyers: Lot from outside the EEC: to the commissions and taxes indicated in the general terms and conditions of purchase, import VAT (5.5% of the hammer price) must be added. *Information to the buyers : Lot from outside the EEC : an import tax (5,5 % of the hammer price) will be due, in addition to the commissions and taxes indicated in the general conditions of purchase. Jean Del Cour (1631-1707) began his apprenticeship with the Carthusian monk Arnold Henrand. He moved to Rome in 1648, where he stayed for around ten years, becoming a pupil of Bernini. On his return to his native country, he set up his own workshop in Liège in 1657. Much of his work was commissioned by the clergy of the prince-bishopric of Liège. A multi-talented artist, he was able to work in a variety of materials, including stoneware, marble, bronze and wood, like the figure shown here. The emotional and graceful drapery that characterises the work of this important Baroque master clearly shows the influence of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who, during his travels and studies in Rome in 1664, was a tutor at the prestigious Accademia di San Luca school in Rome. The modelling of our figure is supple and complete, and in every way similar to the Del Cour terracotta in the Grand Curtius Museum in Liège. These two figures of the Immaculate Conception in terracotta and wood foreshadow a marble statue made for Herkenrode Abbey around 1681.