Granada or Murcian School; XVIII century.

Granada or Murcian School; XVIII century.
"Saint Joseph with Child".
Polychrome terracotta.
Measurements: 28 x 12 x 8 cm.
Devotional sculpture modeled in terracotta representing St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus in one of his arms. The piece stands out for the great volume of the carving that crystallizes especially in the figure of St. Joseph. In contrast to the tenderness, defenselessness and candor of the infant figure, St. Joseph is presented as a monumental character, typically baroque, an impression that is reinforced by the pyramidal composition. Through this form of representation, the author visually enhances the decisive role as protector of the putative father of Jesus. Until the Counter-Reformation, the figure of St. Joseph usually remained in the background, since he was not given any theological importance. However, after Trent, his protagonist role as protector of Jesus during his childhood, as a guide during his years of youth, was recovered, and as such he is represented here.
Stylistically, it is inserted in the Granadine baroque, which can be appreciated not only in the iconography, but also in the model chosen as an influence for it, in the decoration of the clothes, in the coloring, in the features of the face, etc. Compare, for example, with the face and volumes of the "Inmaculada del facistol" made by Alonso Cano in 1655 and preserved in the Sacristy of the Cathedral of Granada, or the hand models or environment of Diego de Mora (Granada, 1656-1729), brother of José de Mora who also trained with Alonso Cano (particularly the Inmaculada de la Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Cruz de Pampaneira in Granada), or the one in the Parish Church of Santa Cruz de Pampaneira in Granada; or that of the parish church of La Anunciación de Cogollos Vega in Granada, to cite two examples somewhat similar to the present sculpture).