Spanish school, XVI century.

Spanish school, XVI century.
"Putto holding an acanthus leaf".
In carved wood, polychrome and gilded.
It has a valid export permit.
In good general state of preservation, with wear and faults typical of its age. Part of the left wing is missing.
Height: 53 cm (height)

Decorative sculpture in carved, polychrome and gilded wood representing a standing putto, with naked body, wings spread and a large acanthus leaf held next to one of its sides. The work is part of the Renaissance ornamental tradition, in which putti, inherited from the classical repertoire, were widely used in altarpieces, ephemeral architecture, liturgical furnishings and decorative programs of a religious nature.

The anatomical treatment of the child's body, with rounded forms and marked frontality, is combined with a lively expressiveness in the face, with open eyes, half-open mouth and hair organized in wavy locks. The presence of the acanthus leaf, a classical motif associated with architectural decoration since antiquity, reinforces the ornamental character of the piece and its probable original integration into a larger ensemble.

The figure shows a round sculptural conception, designed to stand out within a decorative structure, probably as a complementary element of an altarpiece or architectural frame.