Madonna and Child 18th century

This 18th-century terracotta sculpture, "Madonna and Child" by Giuseppe Mazza (1653-1741), depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. The sculpture, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, showcases Mazza's mastery of Baroque style. The flowing drapery and expressive gestures of the figures are characteristic of the period, capturing the emotional intensity of the subject matter. The work's realistic details and subtle modeling contribute to the devotional quality that is central to religious art.