Assistant figure

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The Sistine Madonna , with Pope Sixtus II. , St.  Barbara and two putti as assistant figures ( Angels of the Sixtina)

Assistant figure is the art-historical technical term for a secondary figure depicted in sacred painting or sculpture, which is not absolutely necessary for the actual subject of the picture or does not belong directly to the iconographically prescribed scene, i.e. which only "assists" (attends) the scene. Assistant figures do not necessarily contribute to the meaning of a picture, but fill up or round off a picture or take on the functions of the viewer of a picture.

Early examples of assistance figures in Western art can be found on early Christian mosaics and wall paintings since late antiquity. Typical assistant figures are e.g. B. the people depicted at the foot of crucifixes , such as Mary , John and Mary Magdalene , other apostles or the group of hunters . Since the Middle Ages, portraits of donors have been added as assistance figures, as have the first examples of artist portraits, even before the emergence of autonomous portraits or artist portraits with the end of the late Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. The saints and donors depicted on the side wings of medieval winged altars are also referred to as assistant figures in specialist literature.

In the profane art of modern times, increasingly since the 19th century, the personnel reserve of assistant figures is also increasing on monuments to rulers .

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