Artwork

Saint Bernard and the Virgin

Saint Bernard and the Virgin, by Alonso Cano, oil, 1645
Saint Bernard and the Virgin, by Alonso Cano, oil, 1645

Saint Bernard and the Virgin is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Alonso Cano. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Alonso Cano's painting depicts a scene from religious art centered on the interaction between Saint Bernard and the Virgin Mary.

Alonso Cano's painting depicts a scene from religious art centered on the interaction between Saint Bernard and the Virgin Mary. The work is classified within the genre of religious painting and specifically portrays a sculpture, suggesting the subject involves the saint's vision or veneration of a statue of the Virgin. Created in 1645, the oil-on-canvas composition explores the spiritual significance of this Marian apparition or devotional moment, a common theme in 17th-century Spanish religious iconography where the physical representation of the divine serves as a focal point for mystical experience.

Technique & Style

Alonso Cano's Saint Bernard and the Virgin is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 267 cm in height and 185 cm in width, presenting a substantial religious composition. Stylistically, the painting depicts a sculpture, integrating the representation of a three-dimensional religious object within the two-dimensional medium. Created in 1645, the piece remains a significant example of Cano's religious art from the mid-seventeenth century.

History & Provenance

The painting Saint Bernard and the Virgin was created by the Spanish artist Alonso Cano. While some records indicate the work's inception occurred between 1645 and 1650, authoritative entity data establishes the specific date of creation as 1645. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the religious composition measures 267 cm in height and 185 cm in width.

The work currently resides in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The available sources do not provide details regarding the original commission, earlier owners, or the specific chain of custody prior to its arrival at the museum.

The painting Saint Bernard and the Virgin by Alonso Cano is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The work, executed in oil on canvas, is part of the museum's permanent religious art holdings. While the artwork is associated with the year 1645, the museum records list its inception within a range spanning from 1645 to 1650.

Specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available records, nor is an exhibition history detailed beyond its current location.

Overview

Saint Bernard and the Virgin, an oil painting by Alonso Cano from 1645, presents a devotional scene featuring two central figures against a dark background.

The Apparition of the Virgin to Saint Bernard
The Apparition of the Virgin to Saint Bernard, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

Artist & collection

Portrait of Alonso Cano

Artist

Alonso Cano

Alonso Cano (1601–1667) was an artist, born in Granada.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Saint Bernard and the Virgin?

Saint Bernard and the Virgin was painted by Alonso Cano in 1645.

Where can I see Saint Bernard and the Virgin?

Saint Bernard and the Virgin is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Saint Bernard and the Virgin?

Saint Bernard and the Virgin is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Saint Bernard and the Virgin?

Museum-quality prints of Saint Bernard and the Virgin are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.