The Virgin and Child and Saint Nun

Jacques Stella
17th Century, Oil on marble

The small work painted on marble, traceable to Jacques Stella's atelier, was made in the first half of the 17th century. The painting is placed within a tortoiseshell frame with an octagonal shape and develops the widespread practice of using media other than board or canvas to make small religious paintings more precious and rare. In the center of the scene the Virgin, who in a blue tunic holds the Child in her arms, is accompanied on her left by a Saint Nun, who hands the latter a tabernacle.