Virgin Mary 1754

This is Johann Georg Pinzel's "Virgin Mary," likely carved in the mid-18th century. The primary material is wood. It is the deep understanding of wood as a substance that brings this sculpture to life. Look at the way Pinzel coaxes billowing forms from the solid material, a virtuoso display of subtractive carving. You can imagine him working with chisels and gouges, removing large splinters of wood to quickly establish the overall composition, then refining the details with smaller tools. The sculpture seems to capture a fleeting moment. Pinzel's raw and expressive carving style imparts a sense of dynamism. He doesn't smooth the surface, but instead leaves the marks of his labor visible, adding to the sculpture's immediacy. Pinzel was working at a time of great social change. His bold carving style was well-suited to the Baroque aesthetic. It challenged the traditional boundaries between the fine and decorative arts. Ultimately, it's a testament to the power of skilled craftsmanship and artistic vision.