Virgin Mary Christ Child Saint Francis unknown school carracci

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Virgin Mary Offers the Christ Child to Saint Francis

Unknown, School of the Carracci, c. 1598

The Carracci family — Ludovico and his cousins Agostino and Annibale — were central figures in the artistic renewal that marked the transition from late Mannerism into the Baroque. Working in Bologna during the late 16th century, they sought to reform painting by returning to clarity, emotional warmth, and a closer study of nature. Their shared workshops and collaborative teaching methods were so integrated that works produced among their circle are sometimes difficult to attribute to a single hand. This painting comes from that artistic environment, reflecting the Carracci Academy’s commitment to expressiveness, naturalism, and devotional intimacy.

The composition presents the Blessed Virgin Mary descending from heaven, seated upon a throne of soft clouds. Her garments are rendered in warm tones of yellows and pinks, contributing to the gentle and benevolent presence she radiates. She offers the Christ Child tenderly into the waiting arms of Saint Francis of Assisi, who kneels below in humble devotion. His expression conveys reverence and awe as he receives the Holy Infant. A cherub’s small head peeks out from the cloud beneath Mary’s feet, while two angels hover nearby, quietly witnessing the sacred exchange. To the left, one of Saint Francis’s brothers stands astonished, his gesture emphasizing the miraculous nature of the moment.

This work exemplifies the Carracci school’s ability to blend spiritual transcendence with emotional accessibility. The scene is both heavenly and deeply human — a moment of grace shared between the divine and a beloved saint known for his humility and burning love for Christ.

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This image is a public domain image, which means either that copyright has expired in the image or the copyright holder has waived their copyright. Franciscan Gallery charges for the access to high resolution copy of the image. Manually restoration was necessary in order to improve quality, without covering the original image.