17th-century Mannerist School, Mater Dolorosa

17th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

A fine 17th-century depiction of the ‘Mater Dolorosa’ dressed in a red gown and holding a white cloth. The Mater Dolorosa is an image of Mary as she was while standing by the side of Jesus’ cross.

Throughout the centuries, ‘Our Lady Of Sorrows’ has taken various forms depending on cultural and religious nuances. She’s often depicted in a blue gown with seven swords - one to represent each of the ‘Seven Sorrows’ that Mary suffered.

But here, in this unusual depiction, we see her dressed in red with a single sword piercing her heart. The single sword is said to represent Simeon’s prophecy (Luke 2:22-38) that “thy own soul a sword shall pierce.”

It’s also interesting to note the 12 stars above Mary’s head that relate to the Immaculate Conception as these suggest that the painting has a Catholic heritage.

In terms of its style, it seems to be inspired by the 16th-century Mannerists, such as Andrea del Sarto (1486-1530) and El Greco (1541-1614). The Mannerists elongated and distorted the human form to heighten emotion and add further expression to their works.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Size: 34” x 27½” / 87cm x 70cm

Year of creation: c. 1650

Provenance: Germany

Condition: Generally good. Craquelure throughout but the paint layer is stable under varnish following multiple restorations. The canvas has been relined in around 1850, which, coupled with the thick coarse nature of the original canvas, leads us to a date of around 1650-1700.

Physical Dimensions

Height

34cm (13.39")

Width

28cm (11.02")

Depth

1cm (0.39")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA644188

Description

“

Throughout the centuries, ‘Our Lady Of Sorrows’ has taken various forms depending on cultural and religious nuances.

Brave Fine Art

She’s often depicted in a blue gown with seven swords - one to represent each of the ‘Seven Sorrows’ that Mary suffered.

fig 1. 17th-Century Mannerist School, Mater Dolorosa — fig 1. 17th-century Mannerist School, Mater Dolorosa

But here, in this unusual depiction, we see her dressed in red with a single sword piercing her heart. The single sword is said to represent Simeon’s prophecy (Luke 2:22-38) that “thy own soul a sword shall pierce.”

fig 2. 17th-Century Mannerist School, Mater Dolorosa — fig 2. 17th-century Mannerist School, Mater Dolorosa

It’s also interesting to note the 12 stars above Mary’s head that relate to the Immaculate Conception as these suggest that the painting has a Catholic heritage.

In terms of its style, it seems to be inspired by the 16th-century Mannerists, such as Andrea del Sarto (1486-1530) and El Greco (1541-1614). The Mannerists elongated and distorted the human form to heighten emotion and add further expression to their works.

fig 3. 17th-Century Mannerist School, Mater Dolorosa — fig 3. 17th-century Mannerist School, Mater Dolorosa

Medium: Oil on canvas

Size: 34” x 27½” / 87cm x 70cm

Year of creation: c. 1650

Provenance: Germany

Condition: Generally good. Craquelure throughout but the paint layer is stable under varnish following multiple restorations. The canvas has been relined in around 1850, which, coupled with the thick coarse nature of the original canvas, leads us to a date of around 1650-1700.