Praying Virgin
Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato
Sassoferrato was absolutely obsessed with Raphael, and you can totally see that influence in this serene, perfectly composed portrait of the Virgin Mary. He painted dozens of versions of this praying Virgin for private devotion, essentially making her the ultimate Baroque icon of piety. Her hands are clasped tightly in prayer and her eyes are cast down with such gentle humility that it’s easy to see why this image was copied and hung in homes all over Europe. The deep blue of her mantle against the dark background makes her face glow with an almost heavenly light.
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