Hispano-Flemish school of the first third of the 16th century

Hispano-Flemish school of the first third of the 16th century.
"Virgin and Child".
Sculpture in carved and polychrome wood.
It shows wear and loss of polychrome. The right arm of Christ has been redone and the polychrome is missing, revealing a preparation covered with a cloth.
Measurements: 95 x 35 x 24 cm.

Carving representing the Virgin and Child. Christ carries the globe, symbol of his temporal (and not only spiritual) dominion of the world. In Western iconography, from the 15th century onwards, the image of Christ with the globe in his hand received the name of Savator Mundi (Savior of the World).

The close relationship between the Hispanic Monarchy and the focus of Flanders during the 15th century, especially with the Crown of Castile, led to the development of an important and fruitful artistic connection. In the field of sculpture, the presence of masters from northern Europe was characteristic (not only Flemish-Burgundians, but also Germans -Rodrigo Alemán, the Colognes-) who established their workshops in Castile and formed local schools from which came Castilian masters who evolved towards Renaissance sculpture, such as the Egas, Juan Guas, Sebastián de Almonacid, Felipe Bigarny or Gil de Siloé. Also the masters of the crown of Aragon developed in the 15th century a style that shows Flemish influence, in spite of the greater contacts with Italy (Jaime Cascalls, Pere Johan, Guillem Sagrera).