Mater Dolorosa (The Painter's Wife Teresa Bucherelli Idealized as the Madonna)

Carlo Dolci

1616 - 1687

Mater Dolorosa (The Painter's Wife Teresa Bucherelli Idealized as the Madonna)

c. 1655
Oil on canvas 82.5 x 67 cm
Inscribed on the reverse: REGINA MARTIRUM ORA PRO NOBIS
P.1998-2

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Carlo Dolci was an artist who specialized in religious paintings and was active in Florence during the 17th century. He worked exclusively on small canvases for the individual. The mellow portraits of the Virgin and saints were favoured by people such as Vittoria della Rovere, the grand duchess of Tuscany. This is an example of an icon designed for individual use, which called forth great emotions. Such icons constituted a significant aspect of painting in Catholic countries following the Council of Trent. The Virgin is portrayed in a bright blue gown against a pitch-dark background and a mystic light painted in gold is shining overhead. The composition follows the traditional iconography of "Mater Dolorosa", i.e. the Virgin Mary lamenting the fate of her son, Jesus Christ.

(Source: The Digital Gallery. 1999-2006)