Spanish school; early 17th century.

Spanish school; early seventeenth century.
"Virgin and Child.
Carved and polychrome wood.
Measurements: 73 x 45 x 24 cm.
The sculpture in question represents the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus in her arms, carved in polychrome wood, a technique characteristic of the Spanish Baroque imagery of the seventeenth century. The work, anonymous but stylistically clearly attributed to the Spanish school, shows a remarkable artistic quality both in its technical execution and in its expressive depth.
The Virgin appears standing, in a serene and majestic attitude, dressed in tunic and mantle that fall in wide and rhythmic folds, resolved with a skill that evidences the sculptor's mastery in the representation of textile movement. The treatment of the fabrics, especially in the arrangement of the folds, denotes a clear influence of baroque naturalism, typical of the Hispanic tradition after the Counter-Reformation. The polychrome, rich in warm and golden tones, accentuates the sacred character of the figure and provides a sensorial dimension that complements the carving.
The Child, depicted nude, rests on the Mother's left arm, in a dynamic posture that contrasts with Mary's restrained stillness. His lively gesture embodies the message of the Incarnation and of Christ's active presence in the world. The Virgin's face, with its gentle features and introspective gaze, suggests a restrained spirituality, evoking the model of the Sorrowful Virgin, although here softened by the presence of the Child.
As for its artistic quality, the work stands out for its compositional balance and anatomical precision, revealing the sculptor's expertise both in the carving and in the application of the polychrome, which was probably done by a different master, as was customary. The work is situated within the framework of the Spanish devotional baroque, which, influenced by the dictates of the Council of Trent, sought to move, instruct and bring the sacred closer to the faithful through realistic and moving images.
The choice of the theme of the Virgin and Child is profoundly relevant in the context of the 17th century. In Hapsburg Spain, marked by intense religiosity and a powerful ecclesiastical apparatus, the figure of Mary was the intercessor par excellence. Her iconography, multiplied in altars, altarpieces and niches, aimed not only at a didactic function, but also at an exercise of emotional contemplation. This image, therefore, should not only move, but also inspire confidence and spiritual recollection.
In conclusion, this Virgin and Child is an eloquent manifestation of Spanish Baroque sacred art, where technical skill, expressive strength and theological intentionality are combined, consolidating its value as an artistic and spiritual testimony of its time.