Spanish or Italian school, 17th century.

Spanish or Italian school, XVII century.
"Virgin of the Populo".
Oil on copper.
Presents faults.
Measurements. 33 x 27 cm.

The Virgin of the Populus, that means Virgin of the People, is a Marian invocation that has its origin in Italy as a result of the Salus Populi Romani venerated in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and that probably dates from the VI century. Both in Spain and in Italy it was a profusely represented model, and although it presents variants, it also has common elements that make it recognizable. Here, in this oil on copper, the half-length Virgin, dressed in a dark tunic and mantle with a gold embroidered border, holds the Child Jesus in her arms, wrapped in a red tunic and holding the Gospels closed under her left arm. Mary's right hand makes the gesture of indicating with the index and middle finger the dual nature of Christ. Traditionally, the icon model of the Madonna del Popolo was hieratic and of stylized forms, although in our image the features and gestures tend to be softened.