Sorrowing Madonna c. 1760

Editor: Here we have an anonymous sculpture called *Sorrowing Madonna*. The hard material and sharp angles create a really intense feeling. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The visible tooling marks highlight the labor involved. The material itself becomes a key element, its inherent qualities shaping the final expression of grief. How does the choice of this specific material impact its reception? Editor: I hadn't considered the impact of the tooling! The weight of the material really adds to the feeling of sorrow. Curator: Exactly. It's a potent reminder of the social and economic conditions that shaped both its creation and the lives it represents. Editor: That's given me a lot to think about!