Virgin and Child; South of France, XVIII century.

Virgin and Child; South of France, XVIII century.
Walnut wood carved and patinated.
Measurements: 105 x 49 x 20 cm.
This image shows a polychrome wood sculpture of the Virgin and Child, originally from the south of France and dated in the 18th century. The piece represents the Virgin Mary with a serene and majestic expression, holding in her left arm the Child Jesus, who carries an orb in his hand, symbol of his sovereignty over the world. Both the Virgin and Child are richly adorned with ornate vestments and crowns that reinforce their sacred and regent character.
The sculptural treatment reflects Baroque aesthetics, with a tendency towards ornate ornamentation, visible in the floral motifs in relief that decorate the Virgin's tunic, as well as in the ornamentation of the vestments and crowns. Wood carving, a material widely used in the religious imagery of the period, allows for a detailed representation of the faces and clothing, combining meticulous execution with the devotional functionality of the piece.
During the 18th century, the south of France stood out for the production of religious sculptures in wood, many of them influenced by the Baroque and Rococo styles, which prioritized expressiveness and ornamental richness. The region's schools of imagery were characterized by skill in carving and polychromy, with special attention to the representation of the Virgin and Child, in keeping with popular devotion and the strong presence of Catholicism in the society of the time.
Sculptures such as this one played a fundamental role in everyday religiosity, as they not only adorned churches and chapels, but were also central elements in processions and Marian celebrations. Marian iconography, with its symbols of royalty and divinity, reinforced the idea of the Virgin as intercessor and mother of the Church, consolidating her place in popular piety and in European sacred art.
This type of work, moreover, reflects the survival of the medieval tradition of wood carving, adapted to the tastes and sensibilities of the eighteenth century. The school of southern France, with its mastery in the treatment of wood and its emphasis on expressive realism, left an important legacy in religious sculpture, influencing other regions and subsequent artistic production.