Large Virgin and Child, Tyrol 16th century

Large wooden Madonna and Child, painted and carved in hollow at the back.
The theme of the Virgin and Child is the most represented in all Christian art, whereas the infancy of Jesus is almost completely avoided by the canonical evangelists. This representation is probably the fruit of a realisation of an archaic theme (Isis suckling Harpocrates, the child Horus).
Numerous representations of the "woman with child" can be found in most of the world's cultures, including pre-Christian Europe.
This is a very striking figure, also due to its height (1.20m). The Virgin is richly dressed, her neck encircled by a double-row coral necklace. The position is hieratic, while Jesus' attitude is rather facetious...
Polychrome retouching, as is often the case in German sculpture, with two of Christ's fingers redone.
Southern Germany, probably Swabia, but possibly Tyrol, 16th c.