IS-130-QU

Sacred art has always been the most common form of painting created by man.

From two dimensional iconography, lacking in depth, to the representation of biblical scenes on canvas, since antiquity sacred art has dominated all of art history.

This work was indeed inspired by iconography and painted entirely by hand, the artist having first drawn inspiration from the “Madonna and Child Enthroned” by Nicola di Maestro Antonio that can be admired today at the Metropolitan Museum in New York .

This painting too was created on an altarpiece made of old wood.

The Virgin Mary is depicted seated on a throne while holding her Child, who is also sanctified by the impressive halo embellished in gold leaf.

Mary’s robes are sky blue and adorned with gold details. Sky blue, during the Middle Ages, was the color used to represent both faithfulness and royalty.

Martyrdom red is the color of the tunic that can be glimpsed under Mary’s cloak; it alludes to the other-worldly power of the Virgin, but is also intended to foreshadow the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, who is depicted here as a child.

Around these two subjects there is a pomegranate tree.  Iconographically, the pomegranate (or the apple) indicates the Biblical episode of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit that brought all of humanity to be burdened with original sin.

The altarpiece has been embellished with gold leaf, that brightens and illuminates the entire work. A very significant detail is the brooch on the Virgin’s bosom. The artist intended to further enhance the figure of Mary with a handmade brooch created by a local goldsmith. This precious detail is in 925 silver (weighing 6.4 gr) with a 0.70 ct emerald set in its center. Eighteen diamond rosettes, amounting to a total of 0.18 ct,  elegantly adorn the rest of the brooch.

This work is undoubtedly one of a kind.