H.: 65,5 cm Provenance: The collection of Guillaume Michiels, Bruges-based painter and folklorist. John of Nepomuk (or John Nepomucene) (Czech: Jan Nepomucky, German: Johannes Nepomuk; Latin: Ioannes Nepomucenus) (c. 1345 - 20 March 1393) is the saint of Bohemia (Czech Republic) who was drowned in the Vltava river at the behest of Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia. Later accounts state that he was the confessor of the queen of Bohemia and refused to divulge the secrets of the confessional. On the basis of this account, John of Nepomuk is considered the first martyrs of the Seal of the Confessional, a patron against calumnies and, because of the manner of his death, a protector from floods and drowning. He is said to rest in the Tomb in St-Vitus Cathedral, Prague. A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk has often been erected on bridges in many countries, such as on the Ponte Milvio in Rome. The one in Prague was extremely popular as late as the 19th C., when people traveled from Tyrol, Hungary, and particularly Bohemia to Prague to celebrate his feast day, May 16. The absence of a condition report does not imply that a lot is in perfect condition. Reports are published on request, on our website www.rm-auctions.com. High resolution images, further detailed images and natural daylight images, when requested, will be made available on our website www.rm-auctions.com. Further questions are always welcome at info@rm-auctions.com