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Image courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Chest
Image courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Image courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Image courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Chest

Primary
NationalityPa, Brazilian, South America
Place MadeParaty, Brazil, South America
Dateearly 18th Century
MediumJacaranda and vinhático wood, metal
DimensionsAdditional Dimension: 28 1/4 x 28 1/2 x 58 in. (71.8 x 72.4 x 147.3 cm)
Credit LineBlanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Purchase, 2018.386
Collection AreaLatin American Art
Object number2018.386
On View
On view
Locations
  • exhibition  BMA, Gallery, A12
Label Text
Wood altarpieces were carved, gilded, and polychromed as part of the decoration of church interiors. Several artists were involved in such complex projects. In Brazil, a master carpenter would sign the contract with the expectation that he would subcontract other artists to help him complete the work. Many altarpieces included cherubs like this one, representing heavenly spirits that Catholics believe lived to serve God. Frequently, altarpieces fell out of fashion and were disassembled to modernize devotional spaces. Most likely, this cherub became a stand-alone sculpture only after its home altarpiece was dismantled in such a process, thus leaving us without information of its original context.