"Our Lady Immaculate". Carved, gilded, estofado technique and polychromed wooden sculpture. Colonial School. ...

"Our Lady Immaculate". Carved, gilded, estofado technique and polychromed wooden sculpture. Colonial School. Probably Peru. 17th century.
 
Marvellous sculpture of the Virgin Mary, dressed in beautiful clothing, and a cape which is a wonder of carving, wrapping the figure in almost impossible waves. The mastery of the sculptor is so great that, observing the carving in profile, we see that the back of the cloak forms into great fullness and just in the centre, an empty space allows you to see the figure’s back, creating even more movement, it looks as if the cloak is flying away in the wind. The decoration deserves its own mention. There is not a single spot free of detail, in polychrome, estofado, or brushwork on the gold. 
The richness of the polychrome, the colours and the gold, added to the skin tone, which has such brilliant Quito School characteristics, suggest to us that this is the work of a master sculptor of the Viceroyalty of Peru. 
It rests on its original carved and gilded wooden plinth on which appear multiple angel heads lifting up the Virgin Mary.  
She wears a silver crown and a wig of real hair.
90 x 42 x 40 cm.