A Spanish Figure of the Infant Christ
Spain
Circa 1650
A Polychrome lead figure of the infant Christ on a parcel-gilt polychrome and brass-inlaid wood base supported on four lion-shaped feet.
Height overall 62.2 cm (24.5 in) eight of figure 47 cm (18.5 in)
Exhibited: Brussels, Splendeurs d'Espagne et les Villes Belges 1500-1700, 1985
Literature: Brussels, Splendeurs d'Espagne et les Villes Belges 1500-1700, 1985 Vol , no.C12, p.477
Comparative Literature: J H Diaz, Juan Martinez Montanes (1568-1649) Seville 1987 figs.92-94
In looking at artists such as Juan Martinez Montanes (1568-1649), Pedro de Mena y Medrano (1628-1688) and Jose de Mora (1642-1724) one sees the result of an artistic quest to achieve a high sense of realism in wood and paint. This realism was created almost exclusively within a religious context and intended to make the onlooker humble before an essentially human image of a saint. The serenity of some of these figures as well as a tragic pathos in others would, within the context of a church, heighten the religious experience and touch the heart of the faithful.
The present figure is an example of Andalusian workshops producing similar religious figures during the 17th century aimed specifically at private devotion. Although not identical, this particular example is comparable to the 1606-1607 wood figure of the Nino Jesus, by Juan Martinez Montanes in Seville cathedral (J H Diaz). The Treatment of the torso, abdomen and legs is virtually identical, but with variations in the rendering of the eyes, lips and hair. The variation in the pose is also interesting: the Montanes version has both arms outstretched as a welcoming gesture to the onlooker, drawing him closer to his chest and ultimately to religion. In the present version, however, an arm is raised as if blessing the onlooker, while the other may have held a flower symbolising life and peace. Interestingly, the carved wood base upon which the Montanes figure sits is virtually identical to the base of the present figure.