In this small artwork, there is something that goes beyond a mere religious object—a gesture of tenderness frozen in time. The Virgin gently inclines her face towards that of the Child. Their two heads almost touch, surrounded by their halos, while Mary's mantle falls in wide folds and seems to envelop the Child in a single protective movement. The composition here abandons all monumentality. Mary is not depicted as a sovereign, but as a mother. The sculptor favored the softness of the expressions, the closeness of the faces, and that impression of calm which characterizes some Italian domestic religious imagery of the 20th century. The ivory-toned bas-relief is made from a molded composite material, a resin or synthetic material intended to evoke the warm appearance of ivory. The lightly patinated recesses accentuate the facial features and the folds of the garment. The small sculpture is showcased against a deep green velvet background, whose color magnificently contrasts with its cream tone. A gilded frame with successive moldings completes the ensemble and today restores all its decorative charm. This presentation is characteristic of these small devotional images which, particularly in Italy in the mid-20th century, naturally found their place in the intimacy of homes: in a bedroom, near a crucifix, or on a small wall dedicated to family or religious mementos. Time has left some marks on the frame and its gilding, visible in the photographs. They naturally accompany the age of the piece without detracting from its presence. Frame dimensions: approximately 15.5 × 10 cm. Italian work, circa .
Additional details:
- Brand: 20eSiecle
- Style: Devotional Art
- Material: résine
- Material: matière synthétique
- Material: cadre doré
- Colour: ivoire
- Period: