Dreams Less Sweet Antiques

Description

18th century Spanish colonial school (probably Mexican) ‘Mater Dolorosa’ (Our Lady of Sorrows) oil on copper religious painting.

It has traces of an illegible signature. In this devotional work the painter presents Mary as Mater Dolorosa, placed on a neutral background that emphasises the monumentality of the figure.

The Virgin is portrayed at this moment after the death of her son, suffering and feeling deep pain which is symbolically represented in the form of a sword piercing her heart. Devotion to the sorrows of the Virgin has its roots in medieval times, and was especially widespread among the Servite Order, founded in 1233.

Our Lady of Sorrows, depicted as "Mater Dolorosa" (Mother of Sorrows) has been the subject of some key works of Catholic Marian art. Mater Dolorosa is one of the three common artistic representations of a sorrowful Virgin Mary, the other two being Stabat Mater and the Pietà.

In this iconography, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows is at times simply represented in a sad and anguished mode by herself, her expression being that of tears and sadness. In other representations the Virgin Mary is depicted with seven swords in her heart, a reference to the prophecy of Simeon at the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

The devotional image is inscribed in a grey oval frame around the perimeter of which the legend ECCE MATER TUA (Here is your mother) can be read.

It has some paint faults & losses, appropriate to the age, to the painting as shown, away from the main subject.

Very decorative and attractive image.

Framed in a very attractive and stylish ebony tabernacle frame with gold inner bevel.

Unframed measurements - H: 43.5 x W: 32 cm. Frame - H: 65.5 x W: 50 x D: 7 cm.

Purchased from Spanish art market.