Lombard school, 17th century, Virgin with clasped hands

Lombard school, 17th century Virgin with clasped hands Oil on canvas, 69.5 x 54.5 cm With frame, 86 x 70.5 cm The painting depicts a Virgin absorbed in a moment of intimate devotion, portrayed in a half-length figure with her face bowed down, eyes lowered in an expression of sweet melancholy and composed interiority. Her hands clasped at chest height hold a white handkerchief, whose luminous whiteness creates a strong chromatic contrast with the warm tone of her skin and the olive-green veil that frames her head, falling softly on her shoulders. The blue cloak, a traditional Marian iconographic attribute, is visible on the left side, while the dark and indistinct background, devoid of narrative elements or setting, focuses attention exclusively on the figure and her emotional expression. The pictorial style, characterized by soft brushwork and expert use of chiaroscuro to model the volumes of the face and hands, fits perfectly into the figurative tradition of the Italian High Baroque. In this era, religious painting developed a strongly empathetic language, capable of engaging the viewer through the humanization of sacred figures, shown not in grand scenes but in moments of silent introspection. The choice of a half-length format, isolated against a neutral background, reflects a widespread taste for devotional images intended for private meditation, common in ecclesiastical circles and private collections of the time. The warm color palette, the soft rendering of the drapery, and the attention to psychological and emotional detail testify to the influence of Bolognese and Emilian models, which in that century guided much of Italian painting towards a sentimental naturalism, capable of combining formal grace and spiritual depth in images intended to evoke emotion and contemplation in the faithful observer. For Italy only: with Ars Antiqua it is possible to pay in installments for all amounts up to a maximum of €7,500 at ZERO INTEREST RATE, for a total of 15 INSTALLMENTS Ex. Total €4,500 = Monthly installment €300 for 15 months. Ex. Total €3,600 = Monthly installment €720 for 5 months. For amounts exceeding €7,500 or for longer payment terms (beyond 15 installments), we can provide a personalized payment plan. Contact us directly for the best quote. LIVE TV - THURSDAY 19 – 11:00 PM Dig.terr. 130 - Sky 824 – SUNDAY 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Dig.terr. 126 - Sky 824 – Streaming on our website www.arsantiquasrl.com and on our social media Facebook and Youtube All works offered by Ars Antiqua are sold with a legally compliant certificate of authenticity and a detailed in-depth study sheet. It is possible to view the works directly at the gallery showroom in Milan, at via Pisacane 55 and 57. We personally organize transport and delivery of artworks, both within Italy and abroad.