Virgin and Child
Object: Virgin and Child
Museum object
- Artist | Manufacturer:
- Pedro de Mena (1628-1688) | Sculptor
- Title:
- Virgin and Child
- Inventory Number:
- 2017-D008/002
- Collection:
- Old Masters
- Domain:
- Sculpture
- Period | Style | Movement:
- Baroque
- Material | Technique:
- Parcel-gilt, polychromy, wood, glass
- Measurements:
- 79 x 69 x 69 cm
- Credit:
- Private collection
- Location:
- MNHA | Main building | 2nd floor | Kutter Rooms | Small Kutter Room
- Description:
-
De Mena was influenced by the hyper-realistic style of his father Alonso de Mena (1587-1646), and later in life by his master Alonso Cano (1601-1667). In his work, De Mena accentuates realistic details such as the eyes (in glass), the eyelashes (real eyelashes) and the nails (in marble). This effect is only enhanced by the pale skin tones he used.
This magnificent sculpture, which dates from the end of his life, is highly representative of his work, reflecting his ascetism and faith.
The mother of god, her head slightly tilted, follows every movement of her son, who is holding a piece of paper in between his fingers. This is a variation on the waist-high sculpture of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Christ in his mother’s arms. It is a reproduction of the composition of a work that no longer exists, from the Church of Santo Domingo in Málaga. The Virgin Mary’s face and the representation of her long wavy hair are very characteristic.
Twenty years separate the two works. De Mena’s change in style is apparent in the simplified forms and the volumes of the drapery. The incredible polychromy is also noteworthy, with differences in the representation of the various lavish fabrics.
Malgorzata Nowara
- Copyright:
-
Work: Public domain
Image(s): In Copyright
Metadata: CC0
- Photographer:
- Dominique Provost | © Dominique Provost Art Photography
Object: Virgin and Child
Museum object
- Artist | Manufacturer:
- Pedro de Mena (1628-1688) | Sculptor
- Title:
- Virgin and Child
- Inventory Number:
- 2017-D008/002
- Collection:
- Old Masters
- Domain:
- Sculpture
- Period | Style | Movement:
- Baroque
- Material | Technique:
- Parcel-gilt, polychromy, wood, glass
- Measurements:
- 79 x 69 x 69 cm
- Credit:
- Private collection
- Location:
- MNHA | Main building | 2nd floor | Kutter Rooms | Small Kutter Room
- Description:
-
De Mena was influenced by the hyper-realistic style of his father Alonso de Mena (1587-1646), and later in life by his master Alonso Cano (1601-1667). In his work, De Mena accentuates realistic details such as the eyes (in glass), the eyelashes (real eyelashes) and the nails (in marble). This effect is only enhanced by the pale skin tones he used.
This magnificent sculpture, which dates from the end of his life, is highly representative of his work, reflecting his ascetism and faith.
The mother of god, her head slightly tilted, follows every movement of her son, who is holding a piece of paper in between his fingers. This is a variation on the waist-high sculpture of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Christ in his mother’s arms. It is a reproduction of the composition of a work that no longer exists, from the Church of Santo Domingo in Málaga. The Virgin Mary’s face and the representation of her long wavy hair are very characteristic.
Twenty years separate the two works. De Mena’s change in style is apparent in the simplified forms and the volumes of the drapery. The incredible polychromy is also noteworthy, with differences in the representation of the various lavish fabrics.
Malgorzata Nowara
- Copyright:
-
Work: Public domain
Image(s): In Copyright
Metadata: CC0
- Photographer:
- Dominique Provost | © Dominique Provost Art Photography