Lot Essay
The terracotta group offered here shares a number of characteristics with the works of Jacopo della Quercia, including his stone group of the Virgin and Child executed circa 1428 for the lunette of the main portal of San Petronio, Bologna (Beck, op. cit., I, pp. 168-177, II, figs. 86-89). Compared to this group, the present lot has similar delicate facial features, proportions and thick locks of curling hair. Further similarities can also be seen in the treatment of the drapery, which falls in thick, heavy folds and the finely modeled fingers. An unusual characteristic of the present group is that the Christ Child is depicted sleeping in his mother's lap thereby allowing the latter a momentary, affectionate, gaze at her son.