A Space of Their Own

Luisa Roldán

Selected Works

A polychrome wood sculpture of a woman seated in a red and gold throne, wearing classical or Biblical robes, with a book open in her lap. Beside her, a young girl who is also dresses in robes stands and points to the book, looking intently at the page. The woman also gestures at the page, engaged in conversation with the young girl. The crown is adorned with the face of a child at the top.

The Education of the Virgin

1680s
Luisa Roldán, The Education of the Virgin, 1680s. Polychromed wood, 76 x 63 x 43 cm. Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Infant Saint John the Baptist

1689-1706
Luisa Roldán, Infant Saint John the Baptist, 1689–1706. Polychromed terracotta, 31.8 x 21.6 x 18.4 cm. Meadows Museum.
Meadows Museum

A polychrome terracotta sculpture of the entombment of Christ, who is being laid in a stone tomb by several figures. Two men hold the tomb’s cover while a third figure kisses his feet. A woman rests her face on his hand, in anguish. Two other men lift him by the shoulders. Christ is nude except for a draped cloth, which leaves the wounds of his crucifixion visible.

The Entombment of Christ

1700-01
Luisa Roldán, The Entombment of Christ, 1700–01. Polychromed terracotta, 49.5 x 66 x 43.2 cm. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A series of nineteen small wood sculptures representing the cavalcade of the three kings. Some figures ride on horses while others are standing. Each figure wears a different costume, representing the Biblical lands of Persia, Arabia, and India. The wood sculptures are painted in fairly muted colors, primarily greens, reds, and browns.

Cavalcade of the Three Kings

ca. 1670-89
Luisa Roldán and Luis Antonio de los Arcos, Cavalcade of the Three Kings, ca. 1670–89. Polychrome cedar wood, clay, varying size. Museo Nacional de Escultura
Museo Nacional de Escultura

A polychrome terracotta sculpture of Mary Magdalene in ecstasy, being held by two angels. The angels are women with long brown hair and there are two putti included as part of the figural group. The sculpture also includes landscape elements, such as grass and flowers along the base.

The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalene

ca. 1690
Luisa Roldán, The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalene, ca. 1690. Polychromed terracotta, 30.5 x 44.5 x 25.1 cm. The Hispanic Society Museum and Library.
The Hispanic Society Museum and Library

A polychrome terracotta sculpture of the Virgin Mary seated in a tree, holding the infant Jesus in her lap. Joseph kneels beside her, holding Jesus’s hand. An angel kneels to her right holding flowers, while three putti figures are seated in the tree behind Mary. Her expression is neutral and serene, and she looks away from the viewer.

The Repose in Egypt

ca. 1690
Luisa Roldán, The Repose in Egypt, ca. 1690. Polychromed terracotta, 41 x 46 x 28 cm. The Hispanic Society Museum and Library.
The Hispanic Society Museum and Library

A polychrome wood sculpture of an older man standing, wearing a long gold embellished robe with a hood. He has white hair and a long white beard and he holds out his hands as though he is speaking. His lips are parted and his eyebrows are raised. Despite his elaborate robe, he is barefoot.

Saint Ginés de la Jara

ca. 1692
Luisa Roldán and Tomás de los Arcos, Saint Ginés de la Jara, ca. 1692. Polychromed wood (pine and cedar) with glass eyes, 175.9 x 91.9 x 74 cm. J. Paul Getty Museum.
J. Paul Getty Museum

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