Assumption of the Virgin (or Saint in Ecstasy)
Painting on canvas • Circle of or follower of Guido Reni (Italian, 1575–1642); potentially Bolognese School
Style & Movement
Italian Baroque (Bolognese School influence)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; employs chiaroscuro, sfumato, and expressive brushwork typical of the Baroque period
Creation Period
Early 17th Century (circa 1620-1640)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 80 x 60 cm; Portrait format
Subject Description
A female figure, likely the Virgin Mary or a saint, depicted in a state of spiritual ecstasy or divine ascension. She looks upward toward a source of light, with one hand raised and the other toward her chest. A small cherub/putto is visible in the lower left, indicating a celestial setting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the work shows signs of historical aging and likely past restoration
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $8,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $6,000 USD
Provenance History
Private collection; stylistic traits suggest an Italian origin, specifically the Emilia-Romagna region
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the Counter-Reformation focus on emotional piety and divine connection. The soft modeling and theatrical lighting are characteristic of the transition into the High Baroque style influenced by the Carracci and Reni.
Notable Features
The dramatic upward gaze (ecstasy), the luminous treatment of the skin tones against a dark background, and the ornate gilded Salvator Rosa or Maratta style frame.
Condition Issues
Surface craquelure consistent with age, minor yellowing of varnish, and possible old retouches in the darker areas of the background. The canvas may have been relined in the 19th or 20th century.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove aged varnish and assessment of structural tension. Display in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light.
Collector Notes
Italian early 17th