Virgin in Adoration

Italia (Lucchese School), second half of the 15th century
c. 1500
Terra cotta with gesso and polychromy
Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation  

Matteo Civitali, true to the Renaissance spirit, was a skilled artisan in many arenas: he worked not only as a sculptor in various media, but as a painter, architect, and engineer as well. This delicate figure of Mary was likely once part of a Nativity pair with a sculpture of an infant Christ. Mary’s kneeling pose, gesture of prayer, and downturned gaze are consistent with such scenes from the same era. The glazed terra-cotta figure includes some intricate details at a closer glance. Mary’s sleeves on her crimson gown are actually a beautiful , gold brocade pattern.  Her hands and face are painted with lifelike flesh tones. The most surprising detail, however, is that the sculpture contains holes on either side of Mary’s neck where a real necklace could be (and probably once was) attached.