Flemish school of the second half of the 15th century.

Flemish school of the second half of the 15th century.
"Virgin with child".
Carved walnut wood.
It presents cracks, some faults and marks of inactive xylophages.
Measurements: 128 x 43 x 23 cm.

Flemish carving of marked technical refinement and deep devotional lyricism. It responds to the canons of the late Gothic in its northern slope, characterized by a meticulous detailing, an idealized naturalism and an intense emotional load. The Virgin, represented as a young woman with an oval face, with a high and clear forehead, expresses a gentle melancholy. The half-closed eyelids and the refined features respond to the transalpine ideal of beauty of the international Gothic. Her long, curly hair falls elegantly over her shoulders, in delicate locks treated with sculptural precision. The Virgin's mantle is arranged in angular, deep and broken folds, a typical resource of Flemish sculpture of the period that adds dynamism to the composition and denotes the virtuosity of the carver. Beneath it, a pleated skirt and a tight bodice emphasize the verticality of the figure. This treatment of the drapery recalls the models of sculptors such as Claus Sluter or the Brussels and Malines workshops. The Infant Jesus introduces a note of liveliness and humanity: his infant body, with gracefully turned legs, suggests movement, as if sliding playfully out of his mother's arms. The gesture not only energizes the scene, but provides an expressive counterpoint to the mother's solemnity. The Child holds an apple in his right hand, symbol of original sin, prefiguring his redemptive role in the history of salvation.