Artwork
The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception
The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is an oil painting by the Spanish Baroque Tenebrist artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is a 17th-century oil painting exemplifying the Spanish Baroque style. Created by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, it showcases his skill in religious art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary standing on a cloud, surrounded by cherubs, with a halo of stars above her head. She wears a white robe and holds a dark blue cloth, symbolizing her purity and divine role.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by its tenebrist style, with a warm, golden background that contrasts with the figures in the foreground. The elegant drapery and lively cherubs demonstrate Murillo's mastery of composition and color.
History & Provenance
Painted around 1670, The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is now part of the Walters Art Museum's collection. It reflects Murillo's long career as a painter, from his baptism in 1618 until his death in 1682.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ( mure-IL-oh, m(y)uu-REE-oh, Spanish: ; late December 1617, baptised 1 January 1618 – 3 April 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter.
