Italian or Spanish school; second third of the 18th century.

Italian or Spanish school; second third of the 18th century.
"Virgin and Child.
Oil on canvas.
It has frame of the nineteenth century.
Measurements: 42,5 x 33 cm; 52 x 42,5 cm (frame).
This oil on canvas, attributed to the Italian or Spanish school of the second third of the 18th century, represents a sacred scene of the Virgin and Child in a heavenly environment, surrounded by angels and cherubs. The composition is dominated by the central figure of the Virgin Mary, who appears with a serene and majestic bearing, dressed in a blue mantle and a white tunic, symbol of purity and divinity. On her head rests a golden crown, alluding to her celestial royalty.
In her left arm she holds the Child Jesus, who, in an attitude of blessing and with a naturalistic gesture, carries a small bouquet of flowers, an iconographic element that may symbolize innocence and the fragrance of Christian virtue. With her right hand, the Virgin seems to extend a rosary or an element of devotion to one of the cherubs located in the lower left part, thus establishing a connection with the faithful and the Marian tradition.
To her right, a kneeling angelic figure offers her a basket of flowers, a gesture that suggests an offering in honor of the Virgin and her son. The background, filled with diffused clouds and ethereal cherubs, reinforces the sense of sacredness and spiritual elevation. The loose brushstrokes and chiaroscuro effects, characteristic of the Baroque style, add dynamism to the scene, highlighting the volumes and the celestial atmosphere.
The state of conservation of the work shows craquelure on the surface, which is evidence of its age and the technique used in its elaboration. The palette of warm and earthy colors, with touches of gold and blue accents, highlights the visual richness and depth of the pictorial space.
This piece, influenced by the Marian iconography of the Baroque period, reflects the devotional ideal of the 18th century, in which the image of the Virgin and Child was a symbol of intercession and maternal love, promoting faith through a sensitive and emotional representation.