This week in that other part of my life
I’m overseeing the restoration of this rather wonderful Dolorosa (Madonna of the Seven Sorrows, to be specific). She’s circa 1750, carved wood, applied gesso and polychrome painted with glass eyes. The arms and cage structure need a bit of work. Originally she would have been dressed a bit like this (but in black or purple):
Collectors come in all types, some prefer dressed pieces (that’s usually the Catholics), others prefer to see the body structure. I’ve also got some little black lampshades to go with a pair of early 18th century giltwood Solomonic (pillar) altar fragments which have been made into lamps.
My Mazamet 
I love it when you share your artistic projects!! I always learn something 😊
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Usually I just bore people to death 😀
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We’re all clinging on by our fingernails. Hahahaha.
– Esme Cloud pegging it farther down the comment thread
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Finally, a good use for altars! (You taste exceeds mine by a good bit, along with my decorating budget. I love seeing how other people decorate their houses, especially when the mundane is just not involved.)
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These things are just passing through. They’ll probably end up in your country which is still where religious art of this type is the most popular 🙂
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Cool 😎
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Like the lamps — for the space. Mirror seems to be a bit much; like it should be nearer the floor.
The model sure is sad looking. Like soul-crushing sad. I wonder if her presence lends a touch of melancholy to that room?
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She’s supposed to be sad!!!
Here’s what the room looks like when I’m not playing around with work objects 😀
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Now I am curious as to why you chose the plain white chair alongside the matching set? Symmetry? Definitely seems as though it’s a mirrored image. Interesting.
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Because of the chaise longue which is also covered in rough linen. Here’s the room as seen from the other end:
The set covered in silk taffeta is incredibly formal, so the two linen pieces were to make the room slightly more relaxed.
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Ah yes “relaxed” silk taffeta. I’ll send 2 teenage boys right over 😉
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😀
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Haute couture! Cognac anyone?
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All very lovely. I am not religiously inclined but I would give house-room to your Madonna; whereas the supposedly singing one sets my teeth right on edge (she epitomises the celebrity triumph of style over substance).
Personally, there are currently seven parts to my life. I don’t know how I keep track….
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This somehow reminded me of this story 🙂
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/botched-restoration-of-jesus-fresco-miraculously-saves-spanish-town-197057
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That was hilarious! 😀
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It really was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen that, such a great story. Thank you for reminding me, I’m chuckling again now.
– Esme Cloud chuckling away
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Do you have any links as to how the head, arms and cage fit together, please? While I think I can see it, I would like to be sure.
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Here’s a good example:
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Thank you…I had some vague idea of hands and forearms being attached to a structure but this makes it clear.
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There are some versions with legs, half cages, or even pillar bases. It depended on the mood of the bishops at particular periods. The concept of the cage developed as the virgin became more “divine” and less woman (middle ages.)
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Amazing pieces, PInky. To be honest, I couldn’t live with the Dolorosa, with or without clothes, but it is interesting to see how it all comes together. Are you restoring her for a client? Or for you?
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For a client. Mike can’t stand most religious art, especially the Catholic variety which depicts pain/sorrow.
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Hah, I don’t feel like quite so much of a Philistine anymore. 😀
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I think she’s fantastic, and would have her naked as she is in the first photo, or in all her finery, perhaps stood on the toilet watching people poo sadly.
Your posts are anything but dull dearie, and I envy you taking such old and wonderful items and bringing them back to a former glory. You’re like a well dressed Bagpuss! Hahahahaha. I say that of myself sometimes, though I suspect sticking back together very old pottery that gets broken thanks to some idiot couriers isn’t quite on the same level.
– Esme Cloud with glue in hand admiring Mr Pink’s living room enormously.
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