Spanish or Italian school; 17th century.

Spanish or Italian school; XVII century.
"Virgin with border of flowers".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
It has Repainting and restorations on the pictorial surface.
It has damage in the frame.
Measurements: 85 x 74 cm; 104 x 94 cm (frame).
The floral repertoire that is combined in the work offers an attractive variety, identifying a good number of species: tulips, blue anemones, roses and chrysanthemums, which stand out in their wide chromatic range on the dark green background of the foliage that articulates the whole set. Next to this border of flowers, inscribed in the center, we see a medallion representing the Virgin. It should be noted that, in this type of composition, the flowers are not simply a secondary or accessory element, but are worked with the same care and quality as the religious image. In fact, sometimes they even show a more skillful hand, since often these works were the result of the collaboration of a painter of flowers and another specialized in the human figure. In this particular work a great mastery can be appreciated, both in the floral composition and in the scene depicted inside.
In the first quarter of the 17th century, a new formula was developed in the Flemish environment, within the genre of flower painting, which, recreated by a large group of artists and workshops, would achieve throughout the century an outstanding success in much of Europe: the garland of flowers as a frame and an element to enhance a central theme of a religious nature. Brueghel de Velurs was the initiator of this type of compositions, especially linked in his work to the representation of the Virgin and Child. However, it was his disciple, the Jesuit Daniel Seghers, who was the dominant figure in this specialized production and the creator of a prototype that would serve as a model for the numerous Flemish and foreign followers and imitators of the genre.