Lot 73: Attributed to Francisco Salzillo (1707-1783) Spanish, Murcia, 18th century , Virgin and Child gilt and polychromed unfired clay, inset with glass eyes, silver crown, on a gilt and polychromed wood base

gilt and polychromed unfired clay, inset with glass eyes, silver crown, on a gilt and polychromed wood base

measurements note group: 33cm., 13in. base: 20cm., 8in.

Francesco Salzillo is one of the greatest sculptors of the Spanish Baroque. Born in Murcia to a Neapolitan sculptor who had migrated to Spain, Salzillo trained with the cleric and painter Manuel Sánchez. He entered the Dominican order with plans to try his vocation; however, upon the death of his father in 1727, he left to assume charge of the atelier for which both his brothers and sister worked. Although he was not able to pursue a career in the church, Salzillo's work continued to be inspired by his faith. By1755 Salzillo was appointed escultor y modelista and Inspector to the Inquisition for painting and sculpture in Murcia. And in 1763 he established his own academy in Murcia. The stylistic treatment to the drapery, richly decorated robes with intricate detailing, and physiognomy of the two figures are all consistent with the work of Francisco Salzillo. She can be compared with the figure Virgen de las Angustias (Private Collection Murcia).

Salzillo's worked primarily in wood work and saved clay for his small private commissions. These works are arguably his most exquisite with elegant compositions executed with a striking realism. In the present clay, Salzillo's Neapolitan influences are particularly evident. The Virgin and Child is a highly sophisticated work imbued with both idealism and divine beauty.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Sánchez Moreno, Vida y obra de Francisco Salzillo, Murcia, 1945; E. Pardo, Canalís: Francisco Salzillo, Madrid, 1965; J. C. López Giménez, Escultura mediterránea: Final del siglo XVII y el siglo XVIII, Murcia, 1966; D. López García: Antonio Duparc y Francisco Salzillo, Murcia, 1970; E. Gómez Piñol, de., El imaginero Francisco Salzillo, Museo. Salzillo, 1973, J. L. Morales y Marin, El arte de Francisco Salzillo, Murcia, 1975; C. Belda Navarro, 'Los bocetos de Salzillo y su significación en la escultura barroca', Goya, 136 ,1977, pp. 226-33; Francisco Salzillo, exh. cat., Murcia, Mus. B.A., 1983