The Luso-Flemish sculpture of Our Lady with the Child, valued at 45,000 euros, was presented at the Funchal Museum of Sacred Art on September 8, having been acquired and donated to the museum by Modelo Continente and ENOTEL. The piece will undergo a process of study and restoration at the Isopo workshop, before possibly returning to the Funchal Cathedral to be placed on the reredos of the high altar.
Canon Marcos Gonçalves, pastor of the Cathedral, stated that the Gothic image could be the same one that was on the high altar of the Cathedral before the attack by French corsairs on Funchal in 1566. The analysis of the dimensions of the sculpture and the reredos reinforces this possibility. The current image of Our Lady of the Assumption, from the Baroque period, will remain in the cathedral, although in a different space.
Among the issues under consideration is the possible reconstitution of the hands of Our Lady and the arms of the Child Jesus, with 3D printing technology in wood possibly being used if specialists consider this solution appropriate.
Miguel Albuquerque, president of the Regional Government, attended the presentation ceremony and thanked the donation, emphasizing the importance of cultural patronage and the collaboration between private entities, public institutions and the Church in preserving Madeiran heritage.