Sculpture, Vlaamse barokke putto - Hoop (Spes) - 66 cm - Oak

Monumental Flemish Baroque putto – probably allegory of Hope (Spes)
Flemish / Southern Netherlands, ca. 1690–1740

Expressively carved wooden putto from the late Southern Netherlandish Baroque. The seated child figure is shown in a lively, strongly spatial pose: the head and gaze are emphatically directed heavenward, while one arm extends forward in an open, expectant gesture.
This posture makes an interpretation as Hope (Spes) plausible. Hope, alongside Faith (Fides) and Charity (Caritas), is one of the three Christian theological virtues. In traditional iconography, Spes is often depicted with an anchor and a gaze directed to the heavens. Because no unambiguous attribute such as an anchor is present with this sculpture, the presentation here is cautiously identified as probably Hope (Spes). It is possible that an additional attribute originally formed part of the larger ensemble in which the figure was included.

The sculpture possesses the powerful vocabulary of form that is characteristic of South Netherlands wooden sculpture in the Baroque: a full bodily build, robust limbs, lively gestures, and carefully carved flowing locks of hair. The uplifted face with an open mouth gives the figure a particularly expressive character. The deep folds of the draped cloth around the hips enhance the movement.

In Baroque ecclesiastical art of the Southern Netherlands, such putti were frequently included in larger religious programs of imagery, including altars, pulpits, confessionals, organ cases, and other monumental church furnishings. The old construction and mounting traces on the underside of this sculpture fit a such original application.

With its substantial height of 66 cm, warm dark-brown patina, and distinctly three-dimensional modeling, the statue also has a strong decorative presence as a standalone work of art. It is particularly striking in both historical and modern interiors.

Material: carved wood, with dark-brown patinated surface finish
Dimensions: H. 66 × W. 38 × D. 25.5 cm

Condition
Condition commensurate with age and use. Scattered are old dry cracks and splits, seams, wear marks and localized surface loss. On projecting parts, including fingers and toes, there are small old damages and losses. The underside shows old machining and mounting traces, including planed sections and a wooden pin/dowel. The dark-brown, partially glossy surface treatment is presumably entirely or partially of later date and shows wear, revealing a warmer wood color. The photographs extensively illustrate the condition and structural details and form part of the description.
Related Baroque putti in our current offer

In Baroque ecclesiastical art of the Southern Netherlands, allegorical putti often formed part of extensive religious iconographic programs. Within our current Catawiki offering there are three more similar monumental Southern Netherlandish Baroque putti, depicted as Faith (Fides), Repentance/Contrition (Berouw/Boetvaardigheid), and Divine Love (Caritas/Amor Divinus).

These three representations collectively constitute a thematically related sequence around Christian belief and can be read as a spiritual path from faith, through contrition and penitence, to love of God. Together with the putto offered here, they provide a striking glimpse of the rich allegorical language of the Southern Netherlands Baroque.