Spanish school - Sculpture, Bambino Gésu - 60 cm - Polychrome wood

Bambino Gésu.

This does not depict a kind of baby (Putto) but rather a slightly older boy.
A remarkably expressive, finely carved wooden statue of the Christ Child, originating from the Sevillan Baroque tradition of the 17th century.

The statue is executed in carved wood with remnants of the original polychromy and gilding - there are still traces of gold leaf in the hairstyle.
Especially the head is very beautifully worked.
The large, plastically carved curls are striking, with individual strands of hair emphasized with gilded accents.

The form of the head and, in particular, this characteristic treatment of the hairstyle show clear stylistic affinity with figures from the school and circle of Juan Martínez Montañés (1568–1649).
The combination of the calm, youthful face, the finely painted eyes and eyebrows, and the richly modeled curls is characteristic of Sevillan sculpture of this period.

Particularly the hairstyle strongly recalls Montañés. (I am including an example of Montañés in the photos)

The body is simple yet convincingly modeled, with the soft, natural proportions of a young child.
The statue would originally have been part of a religious tableau or presented independently as Niño Jesús.

Nice to note is that the face and neck have faded somewhat due to the light, and where clothing has sat, the skin has remained softly pink.
This figurine was often provided with new clothing, placing it on the feet—the wear on the feet is a consequence of this.

Beautiful old condition with visible signs of use and aging.
Both arms are missing, and there are losses to the polychromy and gilding.
Precisely the remaining old paintwork and the visible wood give the statue a particularly authentic character.

Spain, Seville, 17th century.
Carved and polychromed wood with gilding.
School/circle of Juan Martínez Montañés.