South German painter (active in the 16th/17th century) The Legend of St Eustachius Simultaneous, staggered depiction of the various legendary episodes of Eustachius, the early Christian martyr (died around 118 under Emperor Hadrian). Large-format devotional painting with a semi-circular arched composition, a Renaissance shield in each of the two spandrels. In the pictorial field, the viewer is visually overwhelmed by the simultaneity and abundance of details in the individual scenes, in the tradition of late Gothic paintings of saints, so that he is unable to perceive the overall composition of the picture at the same time. The legend tells of the hunter and army commander Eustachius in a legion in Asia Minor under Emperor Trajan. He was converted while hunting when a stag with a glowing crucifix between its antlers and later Christ himself appeared to him. He was then baptised with his family, boarded a ship to Egypt with them, was thrown into the sea but managed to save himself on land. While crossing a river, a wolf carried off one son and a lion the other, driven away by shepherds and farmers who took the sons in. Eustachius, separated from his abducted wife and children, hired himself out as a servant. Emperor Trajan, who was beset by enemies, searched for Eustachius for over 15 years, but finally knights found him and brought him back with great honour (scenes below left and right). However, after Eustachius and his family refused to take part in the sacrificial celebration following a victory, Trajan's successor, Emperor Hadrian, had him thrown to a lion (which only bowed down to Eustachius) and finally burned (scene top right with God the Father and the dove of the Holy Spirit). Oil on canvas, doubl; 150.5 cm x 114 cm. Frame. Provenance: Harry Beyer Collection, Munich; special auction 408 "Sammlung Harry Beyer", Ketterer Kunst, Munich, 15 May 2013, lot no. 10; dissolution of a South German entrepreneur's collection. South German painter active 16th/17th century. Oil on canvas, relined.