Novo-Hispanic school; end of the XVIII century.

Novo-Hispanic school; late eighteenth century.
"The Virgin and St. Joseph".
Carved and polychrome wood.
Measurements: 28 x 13 x 9 cm (x2).
These two wooden sculptures belong to the Novo-Hispanic school of the late eighteenth century, one of the most important artistic traditions of the viceregal period in America. Both figures present a characteristic manufacture of the popular novohispanic sculpture: carved in wood, polychrome and with a special attention to the gesture and posture, which transmit devotion and serenity.
The figure of the Virgin wears a red tunic and a black mantle with blue lining, adorned with delicate golden fillets that emphasize the dynamism of the folds. Her face, serene and slightly inclined, reinforces the meditative character of the scene. Saint Joseph, on the other hand, appears with green tunic and reddish-ochre mantle, also decorated with golden details that suggest spiritual richness and dignity. The polychrome, although probably retouched over time, preserves the chromatic intensity typical of late baroque aesthetics.
The Novo-Hispanic school played a central role in the construction of the religious and cultural identity of New Spain. During the 18th century, under the influence of the late baroque and the incipient neoclassicism, the artisan workshops perfected the work of wood and polychromy, generating images destined both for churches and domestic oratories. These pieces were not only objects of worship, but also catechetical teaching tools, as they helped the mostly illiterate population to visualize the sacred scenes and to internalize the Christian message.
These sculptures show a balance between the sobriety of the composition and the expressiveness of the faces, which responds to the pedagogical intention of moving the faithful. In addition, the workmanship reveals a technical mastery typical of the Novo-Hispanic workshops, where European influences coexisted with local contributions, which gave rise to a singular artistic language deeply rooted in the daily life of the viceroyalty.