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Marriage of the Virgin

Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli

1612

oil

canvas

From the collection of National Galleries Scotland

Early Baroque Italian Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Marriage of the Virgin is a 1612 oil by Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli, a Early Baroque Italian work, held at National Galleries Scotland.

Who painted this?: Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli
When & what style?: 1612 · Early Baroque Italian
Where can I see it?: National Galleries Scotland

About this work

This painting depicts a scene of the Virgin Mary's marriage. In the center, a priest stands before a couple, with the Virgin Mary to his right and Joseph to his left. The couple holds hands, and the priest extends his right hand toward them. The scene is set within a grand, arched structure with a domed ceiling, featuring a statue of a cherub at the top. The atmosphere is formal, with the characters dressed in robes. A notable detail is the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume in the figures and the architectural setting. This technique adds depth and realism to the scene. To learn more about the artistic techniques used in this painting, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.