Artwork
The Virgin (recto) and St. Francis with Christ Child (verso)
The Virgin (recto) and St. Francis with Christ Child (verso) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This small, oval painting presents a devotional image of the Virgin Mary on its primary side, known as the recto.
About this work
Technique & Style
The object features a dual-sided composition, with the recto depicting the Virgin and the verso showing St.
Created in 1655, this work is classified as a portrait miniature and a religious painting. The artist remains unknown, though the piece is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The object features a dual-sided composition, with the recto depicting the Virgin and the verso showing St. Francis with the Christ Child.
As a miniature, the work implies a small scale and specialized handling typical of the genre, although specific details regarding the support material, pigments, or current physical condition are not provided in the available records.
History & Provenance
The work dates to 1655 and is attributed to an unknown artist. It is classified as a religious painting, with the recto depicting the Virgin and the verso showing St. Francis with the Christ Child. The piece is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1981.226. The sources do not provide further details on commission, prior ownership, or earlier provenance.
Overview
This small, oval painting presents a devotional image of the Virgin Mary on its primary side, known as the recto. On the reverse, or verso, it depicts St. Francis alongside the Christ Child, suggesting a private or portable function. The recto portrays the Virgin with a blue veil and red dress, her head encircled by a luminous halo.
Its intimate scale and dual imagery contribute to its contemplative nature and underscore its purpose as an object of personal veneration.
Subject & Meaning
The recto of the work focuses intently on the Virgin Mary, rendered with her eyes gently closed, conveying a sense of introspection or spiritual contemplation. A subtle halo of light encircles her head, emphasizing her sacred status. The contrasting imagery on the verso, featuring St. Francis with the Christ Child, suggests a broader devotional purpose, potentially for personal prayer or meditation, encompassing two significant figures of Christian veneration within a single, compact object.
Artist & collection
