Artwork

Virgin with St. Francis and St. Dominic

Virgin with St. Francis and St. Dominic, by Vicente López Portaña, unspecified, 1796
Virgin with St. Francis and St. Dominic, by Vicente López Portaña, unspecified, 1796

Virgin with St. Francis and St. Dominic is an unspecified painting by Vicente López Portaña. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Virgin with St.

About this work

Overview

Virgin with St. Francis and St. Dominic is a religious painting created by Vicente López Portaña in 1796. It features the Virgin Mary with Saints Francis and Dominic, now part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the Virgin Mary seated with the Infant Jesus, flanked by kneeling Saints Francis (holding a cross) and Dominic (holding a book). The composition conveys serenity and devotion, highlighting the veneration of the Virgin and the spiritual connection between the saints.

Technique & Style

López Portaña employed muted colors and soft lighting to create a calm atmosphere. The Virgin wears a blue robe over a pink dress, with a halo, while the background features a cloudy sky with partial tree silhouettes.

History & Provenance

Created in 1796 by the prominent Spanish portrait painter Vicente López Portaña, the work is now held in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's collection.

Context

As a 19th-century Spanish religious painting, it reflects the continued reverence for medieval saints (Francis and Dominic) within the early modern Catholic tradition, blending spiritual themes with the artist's portraitist sensitivity.

Legacy

While specific impact details are not provided, the painting remains a notable example of López Portaña's ability to balance religious devotion with the subtle nuances of his portrait style, contributing to the museum's holdings in early 19th-century Spanish art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Vicente López Portaña

Artist

Vicente López Portaña

Vicente López Portaña (Spanish: ; 19 September 1772 – 22 July 1850) was a Spanish painter, considered one of the best portrait painters of his time.