Madonnina (The Madonna of the Streets)
Painting on canvas-textured board • Studio or amateur copyist; signed bottom right with a name that appears to be 'Mauri M' or similar
Style & Movement
Sentimental Religious Art / Neo-Baroque Revival
Medium & Technique
Oil or acrylic using a wet-on-wet technique with visible brushwork; likely a hand-painted reproduction of the famous 19th-century motif
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 20th century (circa 1960-1980)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8x10 inches in a vertical portrait format, set in a larger decorative frame
Subject Description
A young woman in a teal cloak and orange headscarf holding a sleeping infant. This is a popular religious icon based on Roberto Ferruzzi's 1897 original, often interpreted as the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the painting surface appears intact, though the frame shows visible damage on the left side rail
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100
Provenance History
Mass-market production or artisan souvenir likely purchased through a boutique or religious specialty shop in the mid-20th century
Art Historical Significance
The original 1897 work by Ferruzzi won the Venice Biennale and became one of the most reproduced religious images in history. This specific version represents the democratization of religious art through affordable mid-century home decor
Notable Features
The inclusion of a velvet-lined 'inner-frame' or slip, which was a popular framing style in the 1970s, and a distinct artist signature that distinguishes it from printed versions
Condition Issues
Loss of plaster and gilding on the left edge of the frame; slight yellowing of the varnish layers; minor dust accumulation
Conservation Recommendations
Professional repair of the gesso/plaster frame losses; gentle dry cleaning of the painting surface; avoid direct UV light exposure to prevent fading of the teal pigments