The Virgin and Child - Carlo Cignani (1628 – 1719)

The Virgin and Child
Workshop of Carlo Cignani
(Bologna, 1628 – Forlì, 1719)
Oil on canvas
18th century
Canvas 61 x 75 cm
Frame 78 x 90 cm
Excellent condition
Cleaned and relined

The painting, executed in oil on canvas with great finesse, depicts the most iconographic and venerated devotional image in the Christian religion.
The Virgin is portrayed in half-length and three-quarter length, in a moment of great intimacy between Mother and Child, as she tenderly supports her Child in a protective gesture.
The soft forms stand out from the dark background with an excellent volumetric effect, thanks to the strong external lighting that highlights the magnificent complexions.
The Child is not asleep in the Virgin's arms, as in most paintings of this subject, but is fully awake and turns his wide eyes toward his Mother, clutching the small wooden cross, which imbues the scene with a slight melancholy, alluding to the future Passion.

A green velvet cushion with gold trim, placed on a solid surface, helps the Virgin support the Child's weight.

The extraordinary movement of the hands, exquisitely crafted, is a true testament to the artist's skill.

This is a work of absolute elegance, evidently intended for private devotion, and should be placed within the production of a Bolognese artist working in the workshop of Carlo Cignani.

In this case, the artist stands out for his remarkable mastery of drawing and a stylistic maturity very close to the renowned master's high artistic level.

The painting has been professionally cleaned and relined (see relining details) and is in splendid condition.