Virgin Of Mercy Work Of Beguines

Magnificent work of beguines (who were not nuns...and who in exchange for the protection of the clergy, lived together in the beguinages and made objects of devotion for the Church). They patiently reconstituted the immaculate silk dress of the virgin, dotted with golden stars; then they also dressed her in a golden cape, a linen mantle hemmed with gold thread trimmings. I do not forget the serpent trampled on the cloud.... Curiously, the face, hands and feet of the Holy Virgin are painted on canvas (painting on canvas). These elements were cut out and repositioned on and under the fabrics. It seems that these ladies recovered an earlier religious painting, too damaged to consider restoration and gave a second life to the removed elements. This practice of "cutting" could be called recycling today. The Madonna sits on a purple velvet background (a symbol of power, wealth and majesty in the biblical period) in a vaulted glass frame. This more recent frame, made in Barcelona, is in impeccable condition. (Espuna Art Gallery, San Feliu de Guixols). (75cm x 48cm x 3 cm).