Hot Pamono Dolci, Mater Dolorosa, 17th Century, Oil on Canvas, Framed

Mater Dolorosa, known as Madonna of the Finger

Oil on oval canvas,
29 x 23 cm. – Framed 48 x 43 cm.

The painting we present depicts a particular iconography of the Virgin, known as Mater Dolorosa, absorbed in grief over the loss of her Son. In our case, she is portrayed half-length, looking down at the ground with her eyes half-closed, wearing a blue cloak from which the tip of a finger emerges.

It is presumably a workshop replica of the painting entitled “Madonna of the Finger,” conceived by Carlo Dolci (Florence 1616 – 1686), the undisputed protagonist of 17th-century Florentine painting and an artist praised by critics and biographers even in his own time.

Numerous versions of the famous composition, conceived in 1678, exist, including one held at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, one at the Galleria Borghese in Rome.

These and other versions, often accompanied by the depiction of an Ecce Homo, were widely sought after both for their heartfelt beauty and their powerful expressive immediacy. Carlo Dolci firmly linked his name to this production, producing a series of images intended for private devotion, some of which were reproduced by many of his followers, most notably the Florentine Bartolomeo Mancini, his faithful pupil.

Despite the features being marked by pain, the work is characterized by an incredible sweetness and formal elegance. The Virgin’s noble beauty and expressive power are here enhanced by extreme pictorial skill.

Thanks to the creation of extraordinary works, executed with impeccable diligence and a descriptive rigor that could be described as “hyperrealistic,” Dolci was highly regarded by the most illustrious members of the Medici family and the European nobility, leading his workshop to fulfill numerous requests from highly demanding clients.

The painting is in good condition, perfectly restored and relined, complete with a beautiful antique carved, perforated, and gilded wooden frame.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.