Description of the picture:
Adolescence of the Madonna – Francisco de Zurbaran. Between 1658-1660. Canvas, oil. 73.5×53.5
Francisco de Zurbaran (1598-1664) belongs to the galaxy of Spanish artists of the XVII century. His work, despite the religious theme, is very realistic. In the images of saints and monks, he conveyed real human experiences and feelings, which he noticed among the worshipers in the cathedrals of his native Seville.
IN “Adolescence of the Madonna” the image of the little Mother of God attracts with her extraordinary purity and innocence. Before us is a Spanish girl with pretty facial features, but in the image of Maria, the artist conveyed something that distinguishes her from a simple child. The touching meekness with which she turned her eyes to the sky, and her face, illuminated from above by light, speak of her chosenness and submission to future trials. The figure of Mary in a bright red dress with a green cape stands out against a dark background, as if a ray of divine light pointed at her, chose among other virgins. The plot, also known as the “Youth of Mary”, was not taken from the Gospel by the artist, but borrowed from apocryphal legends about the life of the Madonna."
