Viceroyalty school, Peru; late XVIII - early XIX century.

Viceroyalty school, Peru; late XVIII - early XIX century.
"Bust of Christ".
Alabaster carved possibly Huamanga.
Damaged.
Measurements: 13,5 x 9 x 7 cm.
Aesthetically this work shows that it belongs to the tradition of the Andean viceroyalty school of the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century, a period in which the religious sculptural production reached a remarkable technical and devotional quality. The serene face with its introspective gaze conveys a deep spiritual sense. The meticulous treatment of the hair and beard, arranged in fine symmetrical undulations, reveals the sculptor's skill and the influence of late Baroque models adapted to local taste. The subtle polychromy and the golden details in the eyes accentuate the expressiveness of the piece.
The alabaster of Huamanga, a material appreciated for its softness and translucency, was widely used in religious images destined both for domestic worship and small oratories. These sculptures combined the European sculptural tradition with Andean artistic sensibilities, giving rise to a language characteristic of Peruvian viceregal art.