Onorio Marinari (1627-1715),, Onorio Marinari (1627-1715), Madonna as Servant of God

46 × 38 cm, Oil on canvas

Onorio was a pupil of Carlo Dolci (1616–1686), whose emotional style and color scheme he adopted in his work. Mary is depicted with her head bowed and a blue mantle draped over her head. A golden halo surrounds her head. The artist stylized the forms so that the veiled head appears almost circular and matches the round halo. The gold of the nimbus is reflected in the color of Maria's shirt. Mary's facial features are of youthful beauty, her downcast eyes showing her humility. She is apparently depicted at the moment when the Archangel Gabriel announces to her the virgin birth of Christ and she declares herself a servant of God (ancilla Dei). The head of Mary is inspired by the famous compositions of Carlo Dolci, Mater Dolorosa and Madonna of the Annunciation (Louvre, Paris). In both cases, Dolci shows Maria's hands, which Onorio Marinari has abandoned to concentrate fully on the face framed by the blue cloak.
46 × 38 cm, Oil on canvas