855 - King Enthroned with a Book and a Key, Castilian School, 16th Century

King Enthroned with a Book and a Key, Castilian School, 16th Century Carved, polychromed, and gilded wood. Dimensions: 68 x 23 cm. This sculpture in the round depicts a seated royal figure on a throne, identified by the presence of a large key and an open book—attributes traditionally associated with Saint Peter or representations of spiritual and doctrinal authority. The figure is clad in a golden tunic and a wide blue mantle decorated with brocaded plant motifs, while a triple crown reinforces its solemn and hierarchical character. The bearded face, with its introspective and serene expression, draws the viewer’s attention with a downward gaze that accentuates the meditative nature of the image. The composition is notable for the harmony of its forms, the elegance of the drapery, and the refined ornamentation of the gilding, which contrasts with the chromatic depth of the blue areas. The carving demonstrates meticulous execution in the facial features, the beard, and the details of the attire, preserving significant traces of its original polychromy. Its formal characteristics are reminiscent of Castilian religious imagery of the Renaissance, where serene monumentality, iconographic clarity, and decorative richness served as instruments of teaching and devotion. The work is a remarkable example of Spanish polychrome sculpture in the late medieval and Renaissance tradition, distinguished by its symbolic power and the quality of its sculptural and pictorial treatment. 68 x 23 cm.