”SAINT DOMINIC DE GUZMÁN AND SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI”. POLYCHROMED TERRACOTTA. COLONIAL (SOUTH AMERICA) SCHOOL, 17TH CENTURY.

“Meeting of Saint Dominic and Saint Francis.” Polychrome terracotta sculpture. Colonial School, 17th century. A polychrome terracotta figure with gold details depicting two male figures on a simple pedestal. The one on the left is shown wearing a Franciscan habit (with a small red mark on his right hand) and fraternally embraces, on equal terms, the one on the right, wearing a dark cloak (decorated with fine gold lines creating a net) over a white habit decorated with abundant flowers and gold elements, and a star in light relief on his forehead. These are Saint Francis of Assisi, holding the stigmata, and Saint Dominic de Guzmán, both wearing their respective habits. It narrates, with a remarkable economy of elements (which demonstrates the quality of the work), the so-called "Fraternal Encounter of Saint Dominic and Saint Francis," also known as "The Embrace of Peace" or, more colloquially and in some circles, "The Bump." According to tradition, Saint Dominic had a vision in which Mary implored Jesus on behalf of mankind, identifying them both as servants of God. The following day, Saint Dominic met Saint Francis in the church of Rome, recognizing him as his companion and embracing and kissing him. The present piece still shows Baroque influence, but some details already show a certain neoclassical influence, while maintaining the distinctive features of its school. Compare, for example, with the "Embrace" from the Monastery of Santo Tomás de Ávila by Luis Salvador Carmona, dated to the 18th century. It is also worth highlighting the quality of the modeling and polychromy of the piece, with a remarkable state of preservation considering its age and the delicacy of the material used.

· Size: 14x16x26 cms.