Madonna / Virgin Mary (The Sorrowful Mother)
Framed print (lithograph or chromolithograph) on paper or board • Anonymous; likely an Italian or German commercial print house (e.g., Fratelli Bonella or similar) based on 17th-century Baroque masters like Carlo Dolci
Style & Movement
Religious Devotional Art; Neo-Baroque / Academic Realism
Medium & Technique
Lithography with likely gold-foil stamping or metallic ink for the halo; industrial printing technique mimicking oil glazing
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th Century (circa 1890-1930)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16 x 20 inches; Portrait format
Subject Description
A bust-length depiction of the Virgin Mary in a pensive, sorrowful pose. She wears a blue mantle over a pinkish tunic with a sheer veil. The iconography includes a stylized gold halo with geometric patterns, representing her sanctity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the colors remain vibrant, though there are surface reflections suggesting it is housed under non-archival glass.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired as a mass-produced devotional item for a Catholic home or chapel; no specific labels visible, but typical of items found in estate collections.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the democratization of religious art in the late 19th century, allowing families to own high-quality reproductions of classical sacred imagery for domestic veneration.
Notable Features
Intricate geometric patterning in the gold halo and the use of metallic pigments which distinguish it from standard flat color prints.
Condition Issues
Visible surface dust and minor frame abrasions. Potential acidic backing common in 20th-century mass-market frames which can cause paper yellowing over time.
Conservation Recommendations
Replace current glass with UV-protective museum glass; check for acidic mats or backing and replace with acid-free archival materials.