Madonna of the Thumb, Jubilee Collection

Madonna of the Thumb, Jubilee Collection (terracotta wall relief)

Description and use

The Madonna of the Thumb, Jubilee Collection is an oval terracotta bas-relief inspired by Marian iconography and the refined pictorial sensitivity of Carlo Dolci, the great 17th-century Florentine painter. The work transforms a devotional painting into a three-dimensional sculpture, preserving its intimate spiritual intensity and contemplative mood.

As part of the Jubilee Collection, this terracotta relief is wall-hangable, designed for easy installation on interior or sheltered exterior walls. It is ideal for churches, chapels, care spaces, entrances, and private devotional corners, where it brings a sense of silence, reflection, and spiritual presence.

Materials, quality and durability

Made of natural terracotta using traditional Tuscan craftsmanship, the piece features a raw, unglazed surface that enhances the natural grain of the fired clay. This tactile finish emphasizes the authenticity of the material and strengthens the connection to traditional sculptural heritage.

The solid structure ensures durability and long-term stability when displayed on walls, making it suitable for both private and public sacred or cultural environments.

Shape, details and finish

The Virgin is depicted in a half-length composition, with her head gently bowed and eyes lowered, expressing deep composure and silent sorrow. A softly draped mantle envelops the figure, creating flowing folds that guide the eye toward the distinctive symbolic gesture of the thumb emerging from within the garment.

A circular halo frames the head, reinforcing the sacred dimension of the scene. The oval border encloses the composition with balance and harmony, while the transformation from painted iconography into relief sculpture adds a tactile dimension that enhances every detail, from the drapery to the softness of the face.

The natural terracotta, with its warm tones and handcrafted finish, conveys authenticity and emotional depth, making each piece unique and deeply rooted in Tuscan artistic tradition.