Madonna with Calla Lily (The Virgin Mary with Lily)
Painting on canvas (fixed to board or stretched) • Attributed to or Manner of an artist working in the mid-century European school; the signature (partially illegible) appears to be 'M. de Pl...' or similar, dated 19.. [possibly 1957].
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern Spiritual/Religious Art; blends aspects of Post-Impressionism (divisionism) with Art Deco influence in the facial features.
Medium & Technique
Oil or possibly mixed media/tempera on canvas; features a divisionist or mosaic-like brushwork technique with visible, blocky application of pigment creating a shimmering halo effect.
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (Circa 1940-1960)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
A devotional depiction of the Virgin Mary, shown in a three-quarter view with downcast eyes and a subtle smile. She wears a blue veil and holds a white calla lily—a symbol of purity, rebirth, and the Resurrection. She is surrounded by a radiating, prismatic halo composed of rectangular brushstrokes in muted tones.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; reflecting its age with some surface grime and possible minor pigment fading.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $1,200 (subject to definitive artist identification)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600
Provenance History
Likely from a private collection of religious or mid-century art; lack of visible gallery labels suggests a domestic setting.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the continuation of traditional religious iconography within the lens of mid-20th-century modernism, moving away from hyper-realism toward a more ethereal, light-focused abstraction.
Notable Features
Unique blocky brushwork technique in the background and halo; the inclusion of the calla lily rather than the traditional white lily (Lilium candidum) suggests a more modern or American/Latin American influence.
Condition Issues
Visible surface dullness/yellowing of varnish; potential minor scuffing on the frame edges; the canvas shows slight slackening in the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and fresh UV-stable varnish; reframing in a more contemporary or archival-grade frame; maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.