Our Lady of Good Counsel by Bartolomé Pérez
Bartolomé Pérez, known for his still lifes and theatrical stage designs, created "Our Lady of Good Counsel" in 1690. This devotional painting, now at The Cleveland Museum of Art, showcases his dramatic use of light and shadow, characteristic of the tenebrist style.
Look closely at the Christ Child, who cradles a small golden orb, a subtle nod to his cosmic dominion even in infancy. The Virgin Mary's downcast gaze and the surrounding cherubs, some holding rose garlands, create a profound spiritual ambiance.
Pérez, a Spanish Baroque painter, eventually became the royal stage designer for the King. Tragically, he died after falling from a scaffold while painting the ceiling of a palace. This work offers a glimpse into the spiritual and artistic world of 17th-century Spain, by a painter whose life ended in service to his craft.
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This painter was known for stage sets and still lifes. But his big commission was this devotional work. The banner names her Our Lady of Good Counsel. The Christ Child holds a golden orb, signaling his kingship. The painter was named royal stage designer for the King. He died after falling from a scaffold, painting a palace ceiling.