Virgin of the Immaculate Conception 1675 - 1699

Lorenzo Vaccaro made this sculpture of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception in the late 17th or early 18th century, using wood, silver and gold leaf. The artistry lies in the combination of materials and the way they articulate the theological message. The wooden core allowed Vaccaro to carve the flowing drapery and serene expression of the Virgin. Gilding the wood, especially the robe, would have been a painstaking process. The thin gold leaf, applied by hand, creates a shimmering effect that elevates the figure, connoting the divine. The addition of solid silver for the face and hands adds a tactile quality, emphasizing the Virgin’s humanity even as she triumphs over the serpent. The contrasting materials invite reflection on the earthly and the heavenly, the precious and the plain. Ultimately, this sculpture shows how materials, processes, and their skillful combination are crucial to understanding the power of art.