Genoa, early 19th century, Immaculate Madonna

Circle of Benedetto da Maiano (Maiano, 1442 – Florence, May 27, 1497) Madonna with the Infant Jesus Terracotta and gold leaf, 67 x 37 x 23 cm This refined and elegant terracotta s...

First half of the 19th century Madonna and Child with souls in Purgatory Lacquered and gilded papier-mache with polychrome wooden base cm 96.5 x 37.5 x 28 "At that time I asked the Lord Jesus: 'For whom do I still have to pray?'. Jesus answered me that the following night he would make me known for whom I had to pray. I saw the Custodian Angel, who ordered me to follow him. At a moment I found myself in a foggy place, invaded by fire and, in it, a huge crowd of suffering souls. These souls pray with great fervour, but without effectiveness for themselves: only we can help them. The flames that burned them, they did not touch me. My Guardian Angel did not abandon me for a moment. And I asked those souls what their greatest torment was. And they unanimously answered me that their greatest torment is the ardent desire of God. I read the Madonna who visited the souls of Purgatory. The souls call Mary 'Star of the Sea'. She brings them refreshment ". (Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska p. 11) A Polish religious, Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) reinterpreted in the pages of her testimony the ancient role of the Virgin as savior and supporter of the souls of Purgatory. The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council established that, assumed into Heaven, the Mother of God should operate a continuous intercession in favor of those children waiting for Paradise who were in the place, quoted for the first time by Pope Gregory the Great...

19th century, by Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato (Sassoferrato, 1609 - Rome, 1685) Praying Madonna Oil on canvas, 44 x 54 cm Framed, 88 x 60 cm Giovanni Battista S...

Lombardy, second half of the 16th century Madonna and Child Poplar wood, 152 x 45 x 33 cm Extremely delicate and natural in appearance, the Madonna and Child under consideration d...

Completely hand-crafted in 18th century Spain, this sculpture of the Virgin Mary of Immaculate Conception stands 1.5 meters / 5 feet tall, is topped by a silver halo / crown, and was most certainly created for devotional purposes, to be displayed in a church or chapel. Besides its impressive size, this sculpture is an excellent, truly museum-quality example of the Spanish “Estofado” polychrome technique, developed during the Gothic period to imitate rich brocade fabrics. The finely carved “fabric” areas of the sculpture would be first covered in gesso, and then a layer of gold leaf would be applied. The gold leaf would then be painted over with various colors of tempera paints. Once dry, the painted surface would be incised or scratched away in patterns, revealing the gold beneath. The sculpture was professionally restored in 2022 by a firm that is often contracted by the Spanish government to work on historic building interiors and museum pieces. The virgin was carefully cleaned, repaired and its condition stabilized. A complete and fully-illustrated restoration report will be included with purchase. Often confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary herself was conceived “immaculately” without original sin has been variously defended and debated within the Catholic Church since the pre-Middle Ages. For centuries, artists struggled to create an acceptable visual representation of this highly abstract concept, in part taking inspiration from the Book of Revelation and other scriptural sources. In this case, we see the Virgin standing on a half moon (biblically inspired, though also an ancient symbol of chastity) with her long natural hair loose down her back, another indication of purity. Both her white tunic and flowing blue mantle...

This majestic sculpture of the Virgin Mary, created in the 16 th century, is a unique piece of sacred art that stands out for its impressive detail and the beauty of its form. Crafte...

An 18th-century Italian sculpture of a draped Madonna, masterfully carved in polychrome and gilded wood. The Virgin, gracefully veiled, holding the infant Jesus on her lap with a st...

This late 17th-century Portuguese Baroque figure in polychromed wood depicts the Madonna holding the Christ Child, carved with exquisite detail and spiritual grace. The Virgin is p...