Processing
Oil Pictography on canvas with gold leaf border ‘Retouch’ category. Retouching with Maimeri colours and gold leaf gilding; painting with magnifying glass to recreate every small detail. Linen canvas mounted on frame with gold border; concealed hook for wall mounting. Frame thickness 18/27 mm. Solid wood frame carved and gilded with gold leaf. Frame size: 40x30 cm. Framed size: 50x40 cm.
History
In the painting, the Madonna is depicted in a serene and ideal pose, with the Child Jesus in her arms. Her figure exudes an almost ethereal calm and gentleness, reflecting the formal perfection typical of her compositions. She is depicted with a sweet and protective expression, while the Child, in a natural and tender position, almost seems to interact with his mother, creating a palpable emotional bond.
The treatment of light and shadow is typical of the Baroque, but Maratta never exaggerates, maintaining a balance between brightness and soft shadows. The colours are soft and refined, with a careful use of nuances, giving the painting a great serenity.
This work, despite its relatively simple composition, already reflects Maratta's ability to blend a balanced and classical pictorial language with the newer trends of the 17th century, in a delicate and refined interpretation of the Madonna, which was to become one of the recurring themes in his artistic career.
Madonna and Child