Virgin From The 17th Century In Its Original Reliquary Frame

Beautiful Madonna in prayer with a delicate face, illuminated by Grace. A 17th century oil on canvas from an Italian school. The symbolism of 12 is always interesting. Between the twelve tribes of the Old Testament and the 12 apostles of the New Covenant, this number fits historically and symbolically with the representation of the Virgin.
Our gilded and carved wooden frame therefore receives, inserted, twelve medallions containing various relics, such as fabric with the blood of Saint Vincent de Paul (episcopal seal on the back – probably from Melchior de Polignac, made cardinal in 1724) several relics of Saint Joseph including body tissues (fascia), Saint Andrew, the jacket of Saint Philip Neri, and in particular a bone fragment of Saint Peter the Apostle. It is unusual to find this type of frame combining religious iconography, here an oil on canvas of the Virgin Mary, and the art of the reliquary. This, in addition to the pictorial quality, is one of the major interests of this piece.

Dimensions of the canvas: 45 x 36 cm. Dimensions with frame: 57 x 48 cm.
A glass is missing from an encolpion, precisely the one on which the previous owner wanted to ensure the presence of a wax seal on the back.
Small shocks to the frame, re-canvased, painting having been the subject of a restoration.