16th Century, French School, Madonna With The Child

16th century, French school

Madonna with the Child

Painted and carved wood, cm 68 x 23 x 17

This fascinating sculpture in carved wood, attributable to the French school of the sixteenth century, presents us with a representation of the Virgin and Child, an iconographic theme of deep and lasting resonance in the history of Christian art. The statue stands out for its formal elegance and the delicacy of the details of the original polychromy. The Virgin is depicted in a upright and composed posture, with an aura of majesty and tenderness. His face expresses a sweet serenity, with soft features and slightly opened eyes that seem to contemplate the Child he holds in his arms. Her head is adorned by a rich carved crown, typical of the sculptural representation of the Virgins in the French area since the Gothic, a symbol of her heavenly kingship and her role as Queen of Heaven, which adds an element of pomp to the composition. The hair is delicately sculpted and goes down to the sides of the face. The robes of the Madonna are an element of great interest. The draping is done with skill, creating deep and fluid folds that give volume and movement to the figure. We can see traces of what was supposed to be a lively polychromy: an inner dress of a warm color, maybe red or orange, emerges from under a wider coat, probably of a pastel blue-green or a gray-blue, that wraps its figure. The edges of the robes are embellished with subtle gold decorations, a sign of attention to detail and a desire to ennoble the figure. The Child Jesus is held on the left arm of the Virgin, in a natural and affectionate position. He also wears a simple dress that reveals its childish forms. His expression is that of a child blessing or looking at the observer, establishing a visual link.