Joseph

Art Historical Context

This exquisite wooden sculpture, titled *Joseph*, hails from the Quito School in Ecuador during the second half of the 18th century. Standing just 4 inches (10.2 cm) tall, it exemplifies the refined artistry of colonial Latin American religious statuary. Carved from wood and meticulously polychromed—painted in vibrant layers of color—with delicate gilding, the figure likely depicts Saint Joseph amid angels, men, and women, evoking a tender biblical scene. Such intimate scale suggests it was a devotional object for private altars or homes, bringing divine presence into everyday life. The Quito...