Oil on canvas
Presumably Spain, late 15th / early 16th century
Unsigned
Portrait of the Immaculate Conception
The Virgin Mary surrounded by symbols
Dimensions, framed: 170.5 x 130.5 cm

The presented painting, most likely created in Spain in the late 15th/early 16th century depicts the Immaculate Conception, a favorite subject matter during this time in Spain. The Virgin Mary is shown as a young girl rising amidst clouds and standing on a crescent moon above a serpent-like dragon representing Satan and the Sin. This imagery is inspired by a passage from the New Testament in which Saint John the Evangelist sees a vision of a child-bearing woman who is attacked by a dragon. The radiating sun is illuminating the Virgin’s face, her head crowned with a halo of 12 stars. She is dressed in a red tunic and greenish blue mantle, her hands clasped in prayer, gazing heavenwards. The figure is flanked by symbols alluding to Mary such as the sun, the moon, the Spotless Mirror, Jacob's Ladder, Noah’s Arc, the Gates of Heaven and the Morning Star.



The painting is in visually good, restored condition. There are retouchings all over, also to the face of the figure, most of which are visible to the naked eye. Some tears are backed on the verso. The frame shows losses and wood worm holes (inactive). The work framed measures 170.5 x 130.5 cm, the stretcher measures 148 x 108 cm. (tfa)

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