Sevillian school; second half of the XVII century.

Sevillian school; second half of the seventeenth century.
"Child Jesus".
Carved wood, gilded and polychrome. Vitreous paste eyes.
It has slight losses in the polychrome.
Measurements: 50 x 25 x 16 cm.
In carved and polychrome wood sculpture represents the iconography of the Child of the Ball, in which Jesus child, appears naked, which indicates that perhaps it is an image designed to be dressed in royal clothes. In spite of this, the carving is magnificently worked in all its details, which indicates the quality of the piece and the mastery and prestige of its author. The iconography of the Child of the Ball alludes to the universality of the Christian doctrine, and consists of the representation of the Child Jesus with a sphere that represents the universe, placed in his hand or under his feet. It is a Triumphant Child, Savior of the World, and symbolizes the idea of Jesus as man and savior, lord of all the Earth, which he redeems with his death and resurrection. It is an iconography that combines divine power and grace with the happy innocence and humble condition of God incarnate: the omnipotence of the Son, being a child with the orb in his hand, like a little boy with his ball. This figuration is also characterized by the gesture of blessing and the absence of any painful trace. Sometimes, although not in this specific case, the ball is topped with the cross, representing a symbol alluding to the universal projection of the redemptive act. This iconography is widely related to that of "Salvator Mundi", a representation that tries to show the Christological concept of Jesus Christ as universal savior, in relation to his role as judge in the Final Judgment and his character of Redeemer. It is characterized by presenting Christ raising his right hand as a sign of blessing, while holding with his left hand an orb symbolizing the universe.