The Virgin In Prayer Surrounded by Putti
Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato
Sassoferrato was a Baroque painter who completely ignored the drama of his time, preferring the calm, perfect style of Raphael from a century earlier. Here, the Virgin Mary gazes upward with hands clasped in perfect devotion, while four chubby-cheeked cherubs peek through fluffy clouds to watch her. The rich blue of her mantle contrasts beautifully with her soft, glowing skin, creating a scene of such intense peace that it feels like a quiet moment frozen in time. It’s no wonder this image became one of the most reproduced religious paintings in history!
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
Location: National Gallery, London