Figure of a saint 17th-18th century

sculpture, ivory

3d sculpting

structure

stone

sculpture

ring

fountain

sculptural image

unrealistic statue

sculpting

sculpture

ivory

statue

This small ivory sculpture, dating from the 17th-18th century, depicts a saint in a flowing robe, carved with meticulous detail. The figure's calm expression and gentle stance evoke a sense of serenity and piety. The anonymity of the artist adds to the mystery of the piece, allowing viewers to focus on the powerful symbolism and artistry of the sculpture. This work, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a testament to the skill of anonymous artists and the enduring power of religious imagery in art.

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.