ATTRIBUTED TO MATTIA PRETI (CALLED IL CALABRESE), TAVERNA, 1613 - 1699, MALTA, A LARGE MID 17TH CENTURY OIL ON CANVAS Christ and The Canaanite Woman, held in a giltwood frame, old re-line. (sight 120.5cm x 169cm, frame 145cm x 194cm) Provenance: Holy Cross College, Clonliffe Drumcondra founded in 1854 as The Catholic Diocesan Seminary for Dublin by Cardinal Paul Cullen N.B. painted in Caravaggisti style and seems to be inspired by Jusepe de Ribera, his painting represents one of the episodes in the life of Christ narrated by the Gospel of Matthew (15, 21-28): Jesus withdrew towards the area of Tire and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman, who came from that region, began to cry out: "Have mercy on me, Lord, son of David! "My daughter is very tormented by a demon ». But he didn't even say a word to her. Then his disciples approached him and begged him: "Hear it out, because it comes after us screaming!" He replied: (...) "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" ... But she drew near and bowed down before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he replied, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." "It's true, Lord," said the woman, and yet the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table. " Then Jesus replied: «Woman, great is your faith! She happens for you as you wish ». And from that instant his daughter was healed