Madonna and Child c. 18th century

sculpture, ivory

natural stone pattern

structure

stone

sculpture

dark web

sculptural image

unrealistic statue

sculpting

sculpture

ivory

ruin

statue

This 18th-century ivory sculpture, created by an unknown artist, depicts the Madonna and Child. The meticulously carved figures showcase the artist's skill in capturing the tender bond between mother and son. The Madonna's serene expression and the Child's playful gesture evoke a sense of peace and devotion. The detailed drapery and the intricate base further enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of this small yet powerful religious artwork. This piece, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a testament to the enduring legacy of religious art and the enduring power of faith.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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The province of Goa in western India was under Portuguese control from 1512–1961, forming a nexus in trading routes that circumnavigated the earth. Goan craftsman were renowned for their supple modeling of ivory (likely exported from Mozambique) into Christian icons, which feed the appetite for luxury products in Europe, as well as furthered evangelical missions throughout Asia and the Americas. Within the genre of Indo-Portuguese ivories, popular subjects include ‘Christ as the Good Shepard’ (the image of Christ as child would have related to similar bronze statuettes of the God Krishna) and the ‘Virgin of the Immaculate Conception,’ which shows Mary atop a crescent moon, both of which remain ever-present icons in South Asia’s diverse religious landscape.