Virgin And Child In Carved Wood, 17th Century

Beautiful oak wood sculpture with a dark patina and reddish highlights, dating from the 17th century, representing the Virgin carrying the infant Jesus on her left arm, pressed against her heart.
The Virgin is dressed simply, with a loose tunic forming many folds and cinched at the waist, and her hair is covered with a chignon covered by a veil.
The infant Jesus is represented with a face with adult features, which was relatively common since the Middle Ages when artists wanted to symbolize by this the mature character and eternal wisdom aimed at demonstrating that he was not simply a human child, but the incarnation of God, endowed with a divine consciousness even from birth. This is what is called the Puer Senex: the old child.
He is flanked by a cloth worn as a scarf and skillfully hiding his nudity.
This is an applique sculpture that could be either leaned against a wall, or fixed on a tabernacle door.
Total height including base: 33 cm
Height of blank only: 29 cm
Base dimensions: 12 cm x 6 cm