The original, kept at the Louvre Museum in Paris, depicts a Virgin Mary wearing a blue diadem, a symbol of purity and heavenly royalty. She holds the Child Jesus with poignant tenderness, while the little Saint John watches with devotion, forming a composition imbued with gentleness and mysticism.
On the latter, a precise inscription identifies the subject: “All’ Illustrissimo Signor”, followed by “Il Nobile Signore Gio Giacomo Marastoni”. The date 1760, inscribed in Roman numerals (MDCXL), adds temporal authenticity to the work and testifies to its historical context.
Martin Drolling (1752-1817), a French painter, was noted for his portraits and genre scenes. Inspired by the Flemish masters, he mastered the art of capturing natural expressions and minute details, as evidenced by this portrait of great delicacy.
Oil on canvas portrait of Anne-Marie-Louise d’Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier (1657-1693), after the portrait made by the workshop of Charles and Henri Beaubrun, around 1660.
This is a fine example of French painting from the first third of the 17th century. It presents a high-society woman, probably Madame d’Arjuzon, in an elegant and noble pose, dressed in rich finery and adorned with sumptuous jewels.
The animals seem almost humanized, some looking directly at the viewer, with expressions that exude a form of intelligence and sensitivity, adding a poetic dimension to the scene.
Italian school
Late 17th century – early 18th century
Portrait of Princess Anne-Géneviève de Bourbon, Duchess of Longueville (1619-1679), daughter of the Prince of Condé and Charlotte de Montmorency. Oil on octagonal panel by Jean Ducayer, painted after a work by François Clouet.
Around 1640
Large oil on canvas “Saint Michael the Archangel slaying the demon” according to Guido Reni. This religious painting depicts the famous episode of the Apocalypse according to Saint John where the archangel Saint Michael defeats the demon.
Early 19th century
Italy
Painting on alabaster depicting Saint John the Baptist pointing with one hand towards a lamb and holding in another hand the pastoral staff in the shape of a cross with an inscription ‘Ecce agnus Dei’ – ‘Behold the Lamb of God’, wooden frame polychrome sculpted.
19th century
France
Large oil on canvas representing a landscape with Roman ruins and characters.
18th century
Italy