Novohispanic School. Mexico. 17th century.

Novohispanic School. Mexico. 17th century. "Our Lady of Bethlehem in a faux altarpiece" Oil on canvas. 48,5 x 40 cm. Unusual and pious painting of a set of private devotionsenclosed in a "faux altarpiece" with three sections: in the central one is Our Ladyof Bethlehem, the iconic religious image of Mary with the Child in her arms; crowned, in an upper cartouche, by the Eternal Father and the Holy Spirit, who are in a straight line with the Son, forming the Holy Trinity. The left section depicts St. John the Evangelist, Mary's beloved disciple and writer, and St. Francis of Assisi. The one on the right has St. Mary Magdalene and St. Anthony of Padua, also a Franciscan. The faux altarpiece is painted in ochreand golden tones, which transport us to the Cathedral or church that we frequently visit, througha "ready-made" altar forpraying, celebrating, meditating, being silent, contemplating...