Antique Painting Virgin Mary and Child Oil on Canvas XVIII Century

Oil on canvas. Emilian School, 18th century. The large canvas depicts the Madonna in glory, seated on clouds in the sky, with Baby Jesus in her arms; angels and winged cherubs flutter around her. The entire scene is characterized by light and movement, and an atmosphere of lightness and serenity; the little cherubs in particular are depicted in joyful and playful poses, contrasting with the serious, yet smiling, attitudes of the two angels and of Mary and Jesus, engaged in an important symbolic gesture. In fact, the angel on the right and the two cherubs below are holding "scapulars"—two rectangular pieces of fabric held together by a string—and are handing them to Mary. These objects are a devotional symbol linked to the Madonna del Carmine (or Madonna of Mount Carmel), one of the oldest and most widespread Marian devotions, linked to the Order of Carmelites founded on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land in the 12th century. A symbol of protection and consecration, wearing the scapular—a gesture performed by various religious orders and lay people alike—is equivalent to a commitment to live one's faith united with Mary, imitating her virtues. The painting thus celebrates Mary's commitment to take under her protection those who trust in her. Originally from a major Bolognese collection, the canvas has been restored and relined in the past.