Italian Artist, Baby Jesus with Heart, 17th Century, Polychrome Lacquered Wood

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A 17th-century Italian devotional sculpture depicting Baby Jesus with a Heart, carved in wood and lacquered in polychrome. The child … Read more A 17th-century Italian devotional sculpture depicting Baby Jesus with a Heart, carved in wood and lacquered in polychrome. The child is depicted standing, his weight slightly shifted on his left leg. His right arm is outstretched, clutching a red heart—but it could also be an apple or a pomegranate, traditional iconographic symbols associated with original sin or the Passion. His left arm is extended downward and slightly forward, with the palm facing upward. His face is characterized by sweet, childlike features, with slightly flushed cheeks. His large, wide-set, dark eyes gaze slightly upward or toward the viewer. His brown hair is wavy and gathered in soft curls that frame his face. The child's torso is naked, revealing a soft yet defined anatomical rendering. His hips and legs are partially wrapped in a deep red cloth, tied at the waist on his left hip. The drapery is sculpted with a plasticity, creating deep folds that give movement to the figure. The work is made of carved and subsequently painted polychrome wood. The painted surface shows evident signs of aging. Small cracks, slight abrasions, and gaps in the paint application are visible, particularly on the arms, legs, and feet, typical characteristics of ancient sculptures that testify to its authenticity and age. The first toes are missing, as are those on the left hand, but given the regularity of the cut, they were likely attached to another decorative element, so the sculpture must have been part of a more complex decorative ensemble. The eyes are made of glass, one of which is threaded. Deficiencies and old restorations are consistent with the 17th century. See less