Infant Of Prague - ABOUT THE IMAGE:
The popularity of the Child Jesus grew in Baroque Spain, possibly caused by the visions of Saint Teresa of Avila. Several Spanish sculptures found their way to Prague; they were made of wax, ivory, and bronze, and dressed in garments reflecting the aristocratic fashion of the period. The exact origin of the Infant Jesus statue is not known, but historical sources point to a 28cm high sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand carved c.1340, but other sculptures were also carved by masters throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.
The well-known statue probably came from a monastery in Bohemia, obtained by Dona Isabella Manrique who gave it to her daughter Marie Manrique as a wedding gift, then to Marie?s daughter Polyxena as a wedding gift in 1587. In 1628, Lady Polyxena presented the statue to the Carmelites at the Church of the Virgin Mary the Victorious. This statue became known as the Infant Jesus of Prague. It stands 47cm high, with a 2cm base, and has a long gown around the wax body. Check here for Infant of Prague statue, Infant of Prague medal,or Infant of Prague holy cards
|
