Antique Religious Oil Painting On Canvas, Italy, 18th Century

We are pleased to present this 18th-century Italian oil on canvas. A splendid religious painting depicting a classic subject in Christian art: the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus and the Young Saint John. The Virgin Mary is positioned on the right, gazing tenderly at the two children. She wears a light red robe covered by a green and brown cloak. Her right hand is raised in a gesture of protective blessing. The Infant Jesus sits in the center, in his mother’s lap. Completely naked, he turns toward Saint John the Baptist, holding him tenderly in his arms. Saint John the Baptist is on the left, distinguished by a darker complexion, as he embraces Jesus and returns his gaze. The composition is very classical and typical of this genre of religious depiction. The painting quality is excellent, with strong chiaroscuro contrasts between the dark background and the illuminated figures in the foreground. The brushstrokes are soft on the faces and curly hair of the children. The style strongly reflects the Baroque painting tradition of the Italian school. A wonderful painting for its artistic quality and its profound religious message. If you love ancient Italian religious art, you absolutely must add this splendid painting to your collection. The painting is sold as shown in the photo, without a traditional frame. It comes with a simple, recently made wooden frame. The painting has been restored: it has been re-lined, features some retouching in the paint layer, and shows visible cracking consistent with the work’s age.