Italian school; early 17th century.

Italian school; early seventeenth century.
"Madonna del Popolo".
Oil on copper.
It has frame of the nineteenth century.
Measurements: 23 x 17 cm; 33 x 27 cm (frame).
Oil painting on canvas representing the Virgin and Child, following a compositional model inspired by the "Madonna del Popolo". It is an alleged portrait of the Virgin made by St. Luke, patron saint of painters, an icon currently preserved in the church of the same name in Rome.
Here we see the Virgin half-length, dressed in red tunic and blue cloak, holding in her arms the child, who is also wearing tunic and cloak, although in red and gold colors. Jesus holds in his hands a book, the Holy Scriptures, and raises his right hand with two fingers extended, as a sign of blessing. Following the model of the icon of the "Madonna del Popolo", the figures show hieratic and solemn positions, and the gaze is fixed to the front, without looking at each other. However, the modeling of the faces and hands shows a clear classical influence, since it is markedly sculptural.