11 - Follower of Giovanni Battista Salvi, called Il Sassoferrato,

Follower of Giovanni Battista Salvi, called Il Sassoferrato, Italian 1609-1685- The Madonna in prayer; oil on canvas laid down on panel, bears a wax stamp (upper right), 40 x 27 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, UK. Note: This composition is typical of Sassoferrato's highly emotive, devotional depictions of the Virgin Mary in contemplation and prayer, which enjoyed particular popularity amongst contemporary collectors. Sassoferrato was prolific in his production of these scenes, and produced various versions of the same subject. Indeed, similar works by Sassoferrato, depicting the Virgin looking down demurely with her hand resting on her heart in the same manner as the present work, include a painting which sold at Christie's, London, on 7 July 2023, lot 167, or another which sold at Sotheby's, New York, on 22 May 2019, lot 73.The present work appears to date to the late 17th century or early 18th century.