Charity 1530 - 1565

Jacques du Broeucq made this sculpture, Charity, from alabaster. Alabaster is a relatively soft stone, which allows for intricate detailing. This is evident in the delicate folds of the woman's drapery and the tender expressions of the children. The artist carefully shaped the stone to give it a smooth, almost luminous quality. The whiteness of the alabaster gives the sculpture a sense of purity and grace. Broeucq was a contemporary of Michelangelo, and shared his interest in the human form. However, this sculpture is about more than just the female nude. Charity, as a virtue, was particularly important in the 16th century, as the Catholic Church sought to affirm its role in society. This sculpture would have been a potent emblem of faith in action. Thinking about the skills and labor required to create this sculpture allows us to look beyond the object. It's a reminder of the rich and varied world of craft that existed alongside, and in support of, the fine arts.