Spanish school of the 18th century

Spanish school of the 18th century.
"Saint Philomena and the Virgin".
Pair of reliefs in carved and polychrome wood.
It presents faults and repainting.
Measurements: 115 x 68 cm. each one.
Pair of late-baroque reliefs that together form a sort of curved lintel, finely carved: on the left panel, Saint Philomena is represented, whom we recognise by the anchor (one of the attributes of her martyrdom), and on the right panel or relief, the Virgin and Child are represented. Both have tender, melancholy faces, and their bodies are placed on the lobed arch, adopting natural, restful postures. On their heads, rockery motifs combine brackets and scallops that outline the fretwork. The carving, naturalistic in gestures and drapery, is combined with painted areas based on floral compositions. The tunics undulate in multidirectional folds and are painted with gilding that emulates sumptuous brocades. The quality of the carving can also be seen in the work on the hair, worked lock by lock. The lobed arch is covered with vegetal cresting. Iconographically, there is a link between the two women, their virginity being one of their attributes. Philomena is considered a young martyr of the early Church. She was martyred in the reign of Septimius in 202. The presence of the anchor as the main attribute refers to a legend in which the emperor ordered Philomena to tie an anchor around her neck and throw her into the river Tiber. Dragged by the current, she thought she was going to die, but Jesus sent an angel who broke the ropes and lifted her body, still alive.