Ancient painting of the Virgin Mary, copy after Guido Reni, 18th century.

Oil on canvas. This work is one of many replicas, with some variations, of the famous subject created by the Bolognese painter Guido Reni (1574-1642) and his workshop. The composition, which depicts the Virgin in prayer, leaning to adore the sleeping Child, is considered a brilliant invention of Reni's style. After its great success with collectors of the time, it was later taken up by other 17th-century artists, among whom Giovan Battista Salvi, known as "Il Sassoferrato, " stands out. The two most famous variations of this fascinating scene show the Virgin with her hands joined in prayer, as in this version adopted by Salvi, or with her hands on her chest, a typical motif of Reni. Other variations concern the position of the sleeping Child's head, turned upwards as in this version, rather than tilted to the side; finally, the background fabrics are different. Yet, even in this replica, the intensity of the scene stands out: the body of the child, resting in sleep, dominates the scene, where the divine nature subjugates the human in slumber; above, leaning in a protective and contemplative gesture, is the body of Mary, expressing all her maternal tenderness but also, in the gestures of her hands, the adoration of the incarnate mystery represented by her son. The vivid colours of the fabrics — the cushion on which Jesus rests, the curtain behind, the Mother’s garments — enhance the brightness of the complexions. The painting was relined in the mid-20th century.