Claudio Coello: The Virgin and Child adored by Saint Louis (1665)

(Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)

A piece made by the Spanish artist Claudio Coello (1642-1693). This painting was commissioned by Luis Faures, a member of Mariana of Austria´s (1634 – 1696), queen of Spain, Life Guards. The painting is a so-called 'sacred conversation' in which the virgin Mary and the Christ child is depicted together with a saint or group of saints. Sacred conversations are usually very rigid but Coello creates a more theatrical scene. The virgin Mary with the infant Jesus is shown on the left who is surrounded by angels and other persons. On the right is saint king Louis IX of France (1214-1270) who approaches the virgin. Painting from 1665.