French 19th Century Gilt Bronze & Marble Sculpture by Emmanuel Frémiet

A traditional gilt bronze sculpture by Emmanuel Frémiet standing on a marble base, portraying St. Hubert riding a horse while he shows a flag depicting Jesus crucified, symbolizing his conversion and commitment to him. Made in France, 19th Century. Hubert was a noble man living in Liège. He was a skilled hunter and enjoyed the sport immensely, however, his life took a dramatic turn on one particular trip. According to legend, while Hubert was hunting in the Ardennes Forest on Good Friday (commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ), he encountered a magnificent stag with a crucifix glowing between his antlers. The vision is said to have occurred during a time when he was far from religious and was living a rather secular life since he lost his wife at childbirth, which made him feel great confusion and resentment towards God and made him retire to the woods to live a solitary life. The vision profoundly affected him, leading to a spiritual awakening. Moved by this divine encounter, Hubert sought out a life of repentance and faith. He was baptized by St. Lambert, the Bishop of Maastricht, and eventually became a priest. He later succeeded St. Lambert as Bishop of Maastricht and was instrumental in evangelizing the region and promoting Christianity. Dimensions: 27.5"H x 13.25"W x 5"D