Hispano-Flemish school of the first third of the 16th century.

Hispano-Flemish school of the first third of the 16th century.
"Virgin.
Oak wood carved and polychrome.
Presents faults, Repainting and lack of polychrome.
Measurements: 66 x 40 x 14 cm.

This is a special Marian sculpture, especially for exhibiting a particular iconography, which is inspired while perverting the orthodox representation of the Immaculate Conception. Instead of the crescent moon, the carver placed an animal taken from the medieval bestiary as an allegory of evil being crushed by the feet of the Virgin. The dragon's head and curled tail draw a semicircle that could evoke the crescent moon. The female figure joins her hands in prayer and her face expresses serenity and recollection. Stylistically, the figure is ascribed to the Flemish Renaissance, which is attentive to the idealized beauty of the female model, to the stylization of the features and demeanor. The hair, instead of being covered by a veil, falls in golden cascades. The slanted eyes, thin lips and straight nose complete an archetypal image of goodness and beauty. The tunic and draped mantle have been carefully carved, seeking to recreate each of the folds and pleats.

During the Renaissance, the influence of the Flemish school was key in the development of European art, especially in Spain, linked to the Netherlands by political and economic ties. At that time, the Flemish painters and sculptors established a stylistic model based on the search for reality, focusing on the representation of the qualities of objects, giving special importance to details. In the 16th century, as a result of the introduction of the novelties of the Italian Renaissance, the Flemish style evolved towards a more classical style, while retaining its own characteristics. This change was also transferred to the Hispano-Flemish school, which also had independent channels of penetration of the Italian style. Influences mainly came to Spain from Raphael and his followers, through engravings, oil paintings and painters who traveled between the two countries. This melting pot of influences is evident in the sculpture shown here.