Attributed to Alonso Cano (Granada, 1601-1667)

Attributed to Alonso Cano (Granada, 1601-1667)
"Teresa of Ávila"
Magnificent carved, gilded, estofado and polychromed sculpture. Total dimensions. 174 x 70 x 35 cm. Height without plinth: 155 cm.
Saint Teresa, depicted in one of her two most important roles, that of writer devoted to the religious life, so she can express her revelations. She holds a delicate quill in her right hand and a book in the left.
The carving is full of details which permit its attribution to master Alonso Cano, such as the delicate facial features, the expressivity it has, the hands, the multiple and heavy folds in the cloak etc.
It is worth mentioning the decoration, the rosy skin tones and, of course, the marvellous estofado on fine gold and black with vegetation motifs of large flowers, combined with the fine and delicate designs of small flowers and circles.
This image is comparable to the Saint Teresa by Alonso Cano at the Convent of Buen Suceso in Seville, which is also almost exactly the same height: 148 cm.