St. Joseph with child

Origin
South German
Age
around 1700 -1720
Size
82.0 cm x 38.0 cm
Previous owner
Munich private collection

Description

St. Joseph with child:

St. Joseph, also known as Joseph of Nazareth, plays a central role in the Christian tradition. He was the husband of the Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ. As a descendant of the lineage of King David, St. Joseph fulfilled an important prophetic role, as according to the Old Testament, the Messiah was to come from this line. Joseph is described in the Bible as a righteous and God-fearing man who willingly took responsibility for Mary and Jesus. Due to his humble and loyal nature, he is often revered as a role model for fathers and heads of families.

In Christian art, St. Joseph is often depicted as a loving father holding the baby Jesus. These depictions symbolize not only his role as patron saint of the family, but also his special relationship with Jesus, the Son of God. Sculptures of St. Joseph with the child Jesus are widespread in churches and places of worship and serve as an expression of faith and devotion to this important saint.

About the sculpture:

A remarkable example of such a depiction is a southern German sculpture made of lime wood, carved in the round and painted in polychrome and gilded. This artistically designed figure shows St. Joseph in a standing pose, lovingly holding the baby Jesus in his right arm. In his left hand, Joseph carries a sprig of lilies, a traditional symbol of purity and chastity that is often associated with him.

The sculpture stands on a pedestal and is primarily designed to be viewed from the front, making it ideal for placement in a church or domestic devotional space. The sculpture’s frame is original and well preserved, while the plinth and lily branch are from a later period.

Despite its age, the sculpture is in a very good state of preservation, which underlines its art-historical and spiritual significance. This depiction of St. Joseph with the infant Jesus is an exquisite example of southern German carving art and a valuable object that is both aesthetically and spiritually inspiring. It embodies the deep devotion to St. Joseph and his central role in the life of Jesus and Mary.

A collector’s item!

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