Categories

The challenge of carving Mary's face (The Heights School, Potomac, Maryland)

The Christian custom of honoring the Virgin Mary during the month of May is well known, but few know why this month was chosen to honor the Mother of God.

In the Ancient Greece the month of May, which brought good weather and spring, was dedicated to Artemis, goddess of fertility. This tradition was passed on to the Roman culture as the month dedicated to Flora, goddess of vegetation.

During the Middle Ages began to spread among Christianity and in Spain a popular devotion to the Virgin Mary was born in this month, which was also called "month of flowers"The symbolism of this symbolism with the peak of spring, a time when nature is at its most fruitful and beautiful. In the XVII century the idea of a month dedicated specifically to the Virgin Mary was already widespread and in the XIX century this custom has been extended to the present day. Today, certain Marian customs such as pilgrimages and pilgrimages to Marian sanctuaries have become widespread.

During the month of May it is usual to find in our workshops works dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Today we want to show this sculptural group realized for the oratory of The Heights School in Potomac, Maryland, representing the Virgin of the beautiful love (Mater pulchrae dilectionis) with the adolescent Child Jesus.

Here we show you images of each stage of the creative process, starting with one of the concept sketches and ending with a photo of the finished work. The image was first modeled in clay, a material that allows the artist to work and review all the details that later will be carved by hand in wood.

18485802_821068301392037_3512937437450378112_n

The creative process starts, as always, from a conceptual sketch. This is the reference taken by our artists, who then work on the chosen materials, according to the technique required.

18447264_821068354725365_9105961233564709963_n

The carving reflects the scene of an adolescent Christ offering a rose to his mother. The mother is looking at her son.

18491709_821069464725254_924829189580333674_o

18425349_821069624725238_7429990670613955004_n

The final result, a polychrome wood carving that tries to transmit the sweetness of a mother's face with the utmost naturalness.

 

Date: 
17/05/2017
Share this:
Twitter
Facebook

C/ Galileo Galilei, 19.
28806, Alcalá de Henares,
Madrid. Spain
info@granda.com
(+34) 91 802 36 55

Serving the Church since 1891

Serving the Church since 1891

C/ Galileo Galilei, 19.
28806, Alcalá de Henares,
Madrid. Spain
info@granda.com
(+34) 91 802 36 55

Granda Art Workshops © Granda 2024
Terms and Conditions
Legal NoticePrivacy Policy
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram