Antique Italian painting on copper, 17th c. Virgin of the Rosary and Saint Dominic

Antique Italian painting on copper, 17th cent. Virgin of the Rosary and Saint Dominic

A sacred artwork of exceptional beauty and profound symbolic meaning, this seventeenth-century devotional painting, executed in oil on a copper plate, depicts with exquisite technique an emblematic scene of Counter-Reformation fervor. The Blessed Virgin Mary, enthroned and surrounded by golden radiance, holds the Child Jesus as they both hand the rosary to Saint Dominic of Guzmán, founder of the Dominican order. He appears kneeling, in a gesture of absolute surrender, his gaze ecstatic, as if absorbed by the celestial vision.

Devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary originated in the Middle Ages but was especially consolidated from the thirteenth century, when, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Dominic and gave him the rosary as an instrument of prayer and evangelization. This scene was especially promoted by the Order of Preachers and received a strong boost during the Counter-Reformation as a tool of piety and catechesis. The prayer of the Rosary was encouraged by popes and theologians as a powerful form of meditation on the mysteries of Christ's life.

The work, belonging to the Italian Baroque school, stands out for its mastery of light, the symbolic use of gold, and the meticulous execution of the faces and the folds of the garments. The technique of oil on copper, a support highly valued in sacred art for its durability and ability to preserve color intensity, further enhances the chromatic richness of this composition. The warm tones, dominated by intense reds, deep greens, and a resplendent golden background, elevate the scene to a spiritual plane.

The devotion reached its peak in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when scenes of the rosary being given to Saint Dominic were widely represented in art. These images had not only liturgical and spiritual value but also political and cultural significance, being associated with the struggle against the Protestant Reformation. In many Baroque paintings, Our Lady of the Rosary appears surrounded by angels, saints, or allegorical elements such as the litanies.

The piece retains its original frame, a structure carved and gilded in fine gold leaf, with reliefs of vegetal motifs that enhance the sacred character of the image. These types of paintings were used as personal devotional objects, often in private oratories or small chapels, and today they are considered artistic treasures for their delicacy, rarity, and historical value.

The iconography became a symbol of divine protection, especially after the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary, which led to the establishment of her liturgical feast. Italian, Spanish, and Flemish schools developed an extensive visual repertoire around this devotion, with particular attention to theological details, the splendor of colors, and the celestial atmosphere.

An ideal work for discerning collectors, museums specializing in religious art, or institutions connected to Dominican spirituality. This Baroque jewel is not only a magnificent decorative piece but also a visual document of seventeenth-century religiosity. It brings elegance and depth to any sacred art collection.

A unique opportunity to acquire an ancient painting of great artistic and spiritual value.

Dimensions: 13 x 11.8 cm (5.12 x 4.65 in)

Painted area: 6 x 5 cm (2.36 x 1.97 in)