Antique Virgin and Child, Italian 17th-Cent. Oil on Copper Painting

Antique Italian 17th-Century Oil on Copper Painting. Virgin and Child

This delicate and refined representation of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus is executed in oil on a copper plate, a preferred medium in the seventeenth century for its durability and its ability to preserve detail with great vibrancy. The work, of Italian craftsmanship, probably Lombard or Bolognese, belongs to the field of domestic or conventual devotional painting and reflects with restrained intensity the Mannerist ideal that bridges the human and the divine. The serene and elegant face of the Virgin, with classical and composed features, contrasts with the playful liveliness of the Child, who interacts with his mother in a gesture of tenderness both natural and symbolic, pulling gracefully at the Virgin’s mantle or neckline, provoking a delicate movement in the folds that the artist has masterfully resolved through the use of chiaroscuro and a palette rich in pinks, deep greens, and pearly tones.

The representation of the Virgin with the Child Jesus has been one of the most recurring and revered themes in Christian iconography since the early centuries of Christianity. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, this image acquired new dimensions, blending spirituality with a growing interest in the naturalness and tenderness of the mother-child bond. In Italy, especially in the north, in cities such as Milan, Parma, and Bologna, pictorial schools emerged that synthesized these values with refined sensitivity. Artists like Correggio and the Carracci brothers had a powerful influence on subsequent generations, establishing a canon of serene beauty, soft colors, and balanced compositions.

The composition, clearly inspired by models of Correggio and the Carracci School, features a harmonious and well-resolved pyramidal arrangement. The treatment of the face, the soft modeling of the bodies, and the richness of the fabrics reveal the hand of a skilled painter, well-versed in the technique of painting on metal. The copper plate is in excellent condition, with no warping or invasive oxidations, and presents a homogeneous and natural patina on the reverse that authenticates its antiquity. The gilded frame that accompanies it, possibly added in the nineteenth century, enhances the scene with sobriety and elegance, preserving the sacred essence without overloading it.

Devotional works on copper were particularly popular among the nobility and clergy for their durability, portability, and the quality that this metallic support allowed. Copper, not absorbing oil like canvas or wood, permits richer brushwork, with meticulous details and a particular luminosity that withstands the passage of time. The image of the Virgin with the Child, as presented in this work, responds to the Baroque ideal of a religion that is close and human, where the divine becomes accessible and emotional without losing its sacred dignity. In private collections, museums, or convents, these pieces have been preserved as objects of faith and art, witnesses to the fervor of their time and the mastery of their creators.

This piece is not only a high-quality, timeless pictorial work but also an object of intimate devotion that conveys a serene, warm, and emotionally contained spirituality, highly appreciated by collectors of European sacred art. Its contained size makes it ideal for installation in a private chapel, convent, or as a central jewel in a cabinet collection. An authentic work, powerful for its tenderness and balance, and an excellent investment both artistically and spiritually.

A magnificent acquisition for lovers of Italian Baroque art and devotees seeking pieces with history and soul.

Dimensions: 29.5 x 25 cm (11.61 x 9.84 in)

Visible painting: 23.5 x 18 cm (9.25 x 7.09 in)