Castilian School, c. 1600

Castilian School, circa 1600.
"Saint Lucy."
Carved, polychromed, and gilded wood.
It shows signs of wear and repainting, with losses of polychromy and gilding consistent with its age.
Measurements: 63 x 32 x 14 cm.

A sculpture of Saint Lucy created within the Castilian tradition of religious art during the transition from the late Renaissance to the early Baroque period. The figure is depicted in a frontal, serene pose with a distinctly devotional character, reflecting the idealized models of the late 16th century.

Saint Lucy was a Christian martyr from Syracuse who died in the early 4th century and is venerated as the patron saint of sight. She is depicted as a young woman with a full head of wavy hair, soft facial features, and rosy cheeks. She wears a tunic and a cloak with ample folds, decorated with golden floral motifs on a polychrome background. She holds a tray between both hands, an attribute traditionally associated with her iconography.

The restrained treatment of the anatomy, the symmetrical arrangement of the garments, and the rich ornamentation of the gilding reflect the styles of Castilian religious sculpture from around 1600, intended primarily for altarpieces and places of worship.