The Virgin in Prayer
Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato
1601-1700
Sassoferrato painted this serene image of the Virgin Mary during the Baroque period, but he deliberately ignored the dramatic, flashy trends of his time. Instead, he looked back to the calm, balanced style of Raphael from a century earlier. The result is this incredibly peaceful, almost timeless portrait of Mary in prayer, with her hands clasped and eyes gazing heavenward. It became so popular that it was copied endlessly, and you can find versions of it in churches and homes all over the world, though the most famous original hangs in London's National Gallery.
Location: National Gallery, London
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