Period: First half of the 18th century
Circle of Bartolomeo Mazzuoli - 17th-18th century Madonna and Child, Saint Nicholas of Bari, and a little angel Terracotta, 66.5 x 50.5 cm The refined terracotta relief under examination depicts the Madonna and Child, accompanied by Saint Nicholas of Bari and a little angel. The work stands out for the expressive sweetness of the faces and the richness of the details, typical features of Tuscan production between the 17th and 18th centuries. The influence of Bartolomeo Mazzuoli (Siena, 1674 – 1749), a Sienese sculptor active between the 17th and 18th centuries, is evident in the softness of the forms and the sensitivity of the composition. In the foreground, on the right, is Saint Nicholas of Bari, recognizable by the traditional iconographic attributes: the bishop's mitre, the pastoral staff, supported by the angel in the lower left, and the three golden spheres, symbol of his generosity. The Madonna, with a serene and maternal expression, envelops the scene in a mystical and solemn atmosphere, while the Child Jesus, in a lively and dynamic pose, blesses the saint, expressing a bond of protection and grace. The bas-relief in analysis is configured as a work of great value, which testifies to the skill of Tuscan sculptors in working terracotta with finesse and devotion.