Andalusian School; XIX century.

Andalusian School; XIX century.
"Virgin of the napkin".
Oil on panel.
Presents inscription on the back "January 18, 1849, to my mother, her son Higinio".
Measurements: 22.5 x 22.5 cm; 31 x 31 cm (frame).
Copy of Murillo's work, which was made in 1666 for the Capuchin Church in Seville. It is one of the most popular representations of the Virgin Mary and is currently exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville. The work was part of the altarpiece of the aforementioned church of the Capuchin friars for more than 150 years. The name with which the virgin is designated comes from a legend that was first collected in 1833 in "A Dictionary of Spanish Painting", written by O'Neill. There are two versions of it. According to the first one, the Capuchin friars noticed that a napkin had disappeared from their household linen, but a few days later it was returned to them by Murillo himself with the drawing of the Virgin. In the second version, it was a friar of the convent who asked Murillo for a representation of the Virgin and Child to be able to pray privately in his cell. Murillo accepted, but asked for a canvas to make the painting, the friar however lacked economic resources and gave him a napkin on which Murillo did the work. In the scene, the child seems to try to get out of the painting, while the gaze of the Virgin connects with that of the spectator and transmits tenderness and intimacy. The influence of several artists admired by Murillo has been seen in this painting: the vivid colors and the delicacy of the forms recall the painting of Raphael, while the imperceptible atmosphere denotes the knowledge of the works of Velázquez and Rubens.