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a statue of a woman holding a baby in her armsan image of a statue of a woman holding a babystatue of a woman holding a baby in her armsan image of a statue of a woman holding a babya close up of a vase on a white surfacean image of a statue of a woman holding a child
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62 - Hispano-Flemish School, influenced by the devotional models …

Estimate €9,000 - €11,000
Sale commission
Description
Hispano-Flemish School, influenced by the devotional models of Mechelen (Malines) Circa 1500–1530. “Virgin and Child” Cast bronze, gilded and polychromed. 21 x 8.5 x 6.5 cm. A delicate and uncommon representation of the Virgin and Child executed in cast bronze with original gilding and polychromy, reflecting the profound influence of Flemish devotional models on artistic production in the Iberian Peninsula during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The Virgin is depicted standing, tenderly supporting the Christ Child in her arms in an intimate and serene composition. Mother and Child engage in a natural and affectionate interaction, emphasized by the gentle inclination of the Virgin’s head and her loving gaze directed toward the Infant. These features impart a remarkable sense of warmth and humanity to the sculpture. Stylistically, the work displays characteristics closely associated with the celebrated devotional productions of Mechelen (Malines), particularly in the treatment of the ample, enveloping drapery folds and in the gentle, domestic character of the composition. Such affinities connect the sculpture to the widespread dissemination of Mechelen models throughout Europe during the opening decades of the sixteenth century. At the same time, certain aspects of the figure invite a more nuanced interpretation. The Virgin’s facial features, marked by a restrained and contemplative expression, together with elements of the overall modelling, appear equally close to the artistic language of Hispano-Flemish sculpture produced within the territories of the Crown of Castile, where Netherlandish influence was especially strong. Particularly noteworthy is the use of gilded and polychromed bronze, a medium considerably less common than the carved and painted wood employed for the well-known poupées de Malines. This unusual material choice strengthens the possibility that the sculpture was produced in a workshop deeply influenced by Flemish models rather than constituting a canonical Mechelen production in the strict sense. Beyond questions of attribution, the piece stands out for the delicacy of its execution, the elegance of its drapery, and the extraordinary tenderness conveyed in the relationship between Mother and Child. These qualities make it a compelling example of devotional sculpture rooted in the Flemish tradition at the dawn of the Renaissance. Comparative References: The so-called poupées de Malines (Mechelen, Belgium, late fifteenth to early sixteenth century), represented in numerous European collections and museums, including the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; the Museum Hof van Busleyden, Mechelen; and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Rijksmuseum de Ámsterdam, el Museum Hof van Busleyden de Malinas o el Victoria and Albert Museum de Londres.
About the sale Dialogues with the Past: Vestigia
Auction location
Auction time 07/02/2026 at 7:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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