Madonna delle Grazie

Abstract

This life-size, wood sculpture of the Madonna of the Graces was made in 1521. It is enshrined in a niche protected by glass above an altar in the church of S. Giovanni Evangelista. The sculpture was formerly attributed to Spanish sculptor, Bartolomé Ordóñez. However, recent studies have attributed the work to Neapolitan sculptor, Domenico Napolitano. Domenico was active in Naples throughout the 16th century and produced many sculptures of the Virgin Mary. The naked baby Jesus is shown seated on his mother’s left arm. He looks outwardly with his right arm and gestures a blessing. Mary wears a gold and red mantle. Floral details in sculpted relief are found on the lining of her mantle. The cult of the Madonna of the Graces is prominent across Campania, and Mary was and is still recognized as a symbol of fertility. Traditional Italian depictions of the Madonna of the Graces frequently feature Mary offering Christ her breast or Christ nursing from his mother. But the Madonna in this image is pointing her breast in the direction of the observer. The imagery of the Virgin Mary offering her breast to devotees is popular in Campania. The sculpture is in fair condition but contains some damage on the right side and the front of the figure’s dress. Some of the paint has chipped off, revealing the bare wood. Additionally, there is some evident damage due to burrowing insects. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.