Carved Wooden Statue Of The Praying Virgin – 18th Century

A charming Praying Virgin in the round, carved from high-quality wood, likely linden, and probably dating from the 18th century.

The Virgin is depicted standing, in a contemplative pose, her arm delicately extended forward in a gesture that is now difficult to reconstruct with certainty due to the loss of one of her hands. The sculpture captivates above all with the elegance of its movement and the richness of its drapery.

The long dress, cinched at the waist, is animated by numerous vertical folds, while the cloak envelops the figure in broad, supple panels with deep drapery. The sculptor succeeded in giving the fabric a true sense of fluidity, with a very lively rendering of the folds—a characteristic of Baroque and Rococo religious statuary.

The face, with its gentle and contemplative features, retains a beautiful expression of serenity. The finely rendered hair, as well as the work on the reverse side, attest to a sculpture conceived as a true round-sculpture, worked on all sides.

The piece bears the marks of its history: a missing hand, a few imperfections and old repairs in the drapery, as well as traces of past woodworm damage on the reverse side. These imperfections, consistent with the sculpture’s age, in no way detract from its character and presence.

It is currently displayed on a stone pedestal added at a later date, which nonetheless allows for a particularly elegant presentation of the sculpture.

With its intimate scale, its movement, and the beautiful drapery, this Virgin is a charming example of 18th-century religious sculpture, particularly decorative in both a traditional interior and a contemporary home.

Period: 18th century
Material: carved wood, probably linden
Height: approximately 38 cm
Iconography: Praying Virgin
Condition: damage, losses, and previous restorations; one hand missing; traces of past woodworm damage; later base.