Artwork
The Virgin of Sorrows
The Virgin of Sorrows is an oil painting. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, titled The Virgin of Sorrows, presents a solitary female figure. The work depicts a woman whose countenance conveys profound grief, her hands clasped in a gesture of prayer or supplication. Her attire and the celestial emblem encircling her head identify her as a significant religious personage, likely the Virgin Mary in a moment of deep suffering.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is characterized by an expression of intense sorrow, reflecting the traditional depiction of the Mater Dolorosa, or Our Lady of Sorrows.
The central figure is characterized by an expression of intense sorrow, reflecting the traditional depiction of the Mater Dolorosa, or Our Lady of Sorrows. Her folded hands and downcast gaze emphasize her profound emotional state. The dark blue robe, often associated with the Virgin Mary, along with a red undergarment and a radiant, star-adorned halo, further reinforces her sacred identity and the solemnity of her grief.
Technique & Style
The artist utilized oil paint to render the figure with a sense of gravity and emotional depth. The palette features a prominent dark blue for the Virgin's outer garment, contrasted with a glimpse of red beneath, and highlighted by gold trim. A luminous golden halo, dotted with stars, frames her head, drawing attention to her sorrowful face. The composition focuses intently on the figure's pensive expression and gesture, conveying her distress.
Artist & collection
