Bidspirit auction | Virgin of Portillo of Arévalo.

Virgin of Portillo of Arévalo. Spanish School. 17th Century - Carved, polychromed and gilded wood. Dimensions 70 x 25 cm. Devotional wooden sculpture representing the Virgin of Portillo of Arévalo, a local invocation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, crafted by the Spanish School in the 17th Century. The crowned Virgin is depicted standing with arms extended in a gesture of protection, resting upon a base with three cherubic heads. While some of her original attributes—likely the Christ Child or Carmelite scapulars—are missing, the piece retains much of its original polychromy and gilding, with a rich patina that enhances its authenticity. A heraldic shield with crown appears in relief on the front of her garment, adding symbolic depth. The hieratic frontality, restrained modelling and idealised facial features reflect the style of Castilian Baroque folk imagery, typically destined for convent or parish devotion. Strongly linked to Carmelite tradition, this sculpture holds significant devotional, aesthetic and historical value.