Polychrome Carved Wooden Virgin In Prayer, 16th Century, Italy

A beautiful sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary standing, her hands clasped in a posture of prayer and contemplation. Crafted from polychrome carved wood, it retains a beautiful patina as well as traces of its original polychrome paint in shades of brick red and brown and blue

The Virgin is depicted wearing a long, belted dress and a flowing cloak whose soft, elegant folds envelop her silhouette. Her face, with delicate features and turned downward, expresses gentleness, humility, and spiritual contemplation. This iconography, widespread in Italian religious art, evokes Mary’s purity and her acceptance of the divine plan.

This sculpture likely belonged to a group of sculptures intended to depict a crucifixion, for example, in a private chapel.

16th-century Italian sculpture, probably from the Emilia region, sold as is: good overall condition, some wear and missing pieces, old signs of woodworm damage—iron base added later

Height 122 cm
45 x 30 cm