Stone relief of Madonna and Child, Italy, 1691 (MDCXCI), Stone relief of Madonna and Child, Italy, 1691 (MDCXCI)

100 x 85 cm

The Madonna and Child are seated in a semicircular niche. Madonna is turned to the left, holding the baby Jesus under her back and bowing her head to the child. Jesus stands with his left foot on her knee and his right leg draped over her forearm. He gently touches his mother's face with his right hand. The faces of mother and child are lovingly tilted towards each other. Maria has a veil draped over her long locks. The niche is framed by two curved palm trunks that form a round arch. Acanthus leaves grow over the bottom edge.
The inscription reproduces a prayer that can also be found on engravings of the Passover Madonna. In it, Mary is asked for protection from plague, hunger, the enemy (the devil) and at the hour of death: Tv Nos Iuvando Respice / Pestem Famemque Submove / Et Nos ab Hoste Protege / Horaque Mortis Suscipe /
Stone, 100 x 85 cm