CARVED FRAME WITH PAINTING ON VELLUM, “OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY WITH SAINT DOMINIC AND SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA, 17TH CENTURY.

Carved and gilded frame with painting on vellum, “Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Siena”, 17th century. Inscription in rear area (D. José Salazar). The frame is quadrangular with square projections at the corners and semicircular projections in the centers of the sides. The fleshy and prominent vegetal carving is gilded, and in some areas, the red bole used to adhere the thin metal sheets to the wood is visible. The painting on vellum features magnificent openwork, flowers on the border, and several figures. The scene depicted is the Virgin Mary giving the rosary to Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Siena. Mary appeared to the founder of the Dominicans, giving him the "Crown of Roses of Our Lady," also called the rosary, and teaching him how to pray it, with the command to preach it among the people. This particular devotion is known as Our Lady of the Rosary. Saint Catherine of Siena took the habit of the Third Order of Saint Dominic at the age of 16, despite family opposition. This is why she is depicted in this way. It was the members of her order who dedicated themselves to spreading her cult throughout Europe, attributing to her miracles common to other saints (stigmatization) and representing her in numerous scenes. One such scene is that of the present work: despite not having participated in the giving of the rosary, she is included in the subject alongside Saint Dominic, flanking Mary, who usually appears with the Child. The Virgin appears in heaven, with the saint on her right and the saint on her left, giving them a garland of flowers that symbolizes this rosary; the buildings in the background refer to the religious foundations established thanks to Saint Dominic (the first formal community of "preaching friars" was organized around 1215; the saint himself founded a women's monastery in Prohuille). The delicate vellum work with its openwork and prominent floral motifs suggests the painting originated in a convent of the order. It was likely commissioned by the nuns themselves or brought as part of a sister's dowry. The high quality and substantial frame indicate the painting's value, suggesting it was intended to hang on a wall, as evidenced by the metal hook on the back. Frames similar to this one, with the same quality and importance of the carving, are not easy to find. Similar examples are held by the J. Paul Getty Museum in Miami, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Madrid, the Louvre in Paris, and others. Paintings on vellum were very common in the Baroque period because it was a much cheaper support than panel. However, since they were executed by lesser-known artists, their value has only recently been recognized, which is why few examples survive.

· Size: 33x37.5 LUZ 13.5X18 cms.