Bidspirit auction | Christ crucified with the Virgin

Christ crucified with the Virgin of Sorrows. Portuguese School. 18th century. - Carved and polychromed wood. Measurements: 45 x 15 cm. Devotional sculpture depicting a Calvary scene, composed of the figure of the crucified Christ and, at His feet, a sorrowful Virgin standing atop a gilded base with baroque ornamentation. The elongated and expressive body of Christ is notable for the detailed modeling of the torso and the inclined position of the head, suggesting the moment following His final breath. The loincloth, painted in a muted green, is arranged with a gentle flow that adds dynamism to the figure. The cross, with its simple forms and straight lines, reinforces the dramatic character of the composition. At the base, the Virgin’s face conveys affliction and restraint, with clasped hands and garments falling in heavy folds of dark tones. The piece retains part of its original polychromy and displays a sincere, popular craftsmanship where expressiveness takes precedence over formal realism. This work reflects the stylistic resources and spiritual sensitivity of Portuguese sculpture from the 17th and 18th centuries, within the context of a deeply emotional Baroque religiosity, intended for intimate and domestic devotion.