Granada School; 17th century.

Granada School; 17th century.
“Saint Joseph Sleeping.”
Fired and polychrome clay.
Has been restored.
Measurements: 13 x 27.5 x 19 cm.
In contrast to the monumental scale and intense drama characteristic of the Sevillian school, the Granada school developed its own artistic language, defined by elegant proportions, serene expressions, and a profound, intimate spirituality. Heir to Renaissance classicism and driven by leading figures such as Pablo de Rojas, Alonso Cano, Pedro de Mena, and the Mora family, this school achieved an extraordinary balance between naturalism and idealized beauty, becoming one of the great benchmarks of Spanish polychrome sculpture.
The work depicts Saint Joseph asleep, an iconography of particular sensitivity that alludes to the moment when, while resting, he receives in a dream the divine revelation conveyed by the angel. This is a relatively uncommon theme compared to other depictions of the saint, a circumstance that heightens its interest by offering a deeply human and contemplative image, in keeping with Baroque spirituality.
From a stylistic perspective, the sculpture shows a clear connection to the models developed by the Mora workshop, particularly by José and Diego de Mora, whose legacy decisively shaped the evolution of the Granada school from the late 17th century through much of the 18th. The delicate polychromy, the careful rendering of the folds, the decorative richness of the drapery, and, above all, the gentle expression on the face reveal the influence of a sculptural language that synthesizes the teachings of Alonso Cano and Pedro de Mena into a style of great personality.Particularly noteworthy is the quality of the modeling, which succeeds in conveying a sense of stillness and contemplation without sacrificing a meticulous rendering of the details.