Italian School (XVII-XVIII) - Raffinato Busto della Vergine

Important and refined ancient oil painting on copper plate, datable to the late 17th and first half of the 18th century, depicting the bust of the Virgin Mary in meditation.
Analysis of history, art and style
The work fully belongs to the best tradition of classicism in the Emilia-Romagna area, drawing on models of intense yet measured expressive sweetness made famous by the Emilian-Bolognese School of the late 17th / early 18th century.
The quality of the painter's hand is particularly evident in the plastic and luminous rendering of the face: the flesh tones are built through skilful glazes and soft chiaroscural shifts that make the figure emerge from the dark background, framed by a delicate golden halo. Of notable execution are the details of the drapery: the white scarf crossed over the chest, carved with sharp and luminous folds, the red garment with a warm, deep timbre, the green-blue mantle and the soft veil wrapped into a turban that gathers the hair.
The choice of copper as the support — typical of educated commissions and of Cabinet-type still-life aimed at private noble devotion — enabled the artist a precise, enameled and precious application, while keeping the brilliance of the pigments intact through the centuries.
Technical details and dimensions
Technique: Oil on original copper plate of the period
Copper plate dimensions: 21 x 16.5 cm
Overall dimensions with frame: 33.5 x 29 cm
Condition
The work presents in good/very good overall state of conservation for its time, with a beautiful antique patina. The copper support on the reverse is sound, flat and well anchored. The painted surface is stable and legible, with physiological signs of time and minimal natural specks coherent with the painting’s age. The high-resolution photographs and close-up details attached are an integral and substantial part of the description.
Frame and shipping
The painting is enhanced by a carved wood frame with a mecca/silvered finish and an inner mat (a later addition, with normal signs of time, provided as a courtesy to accompany the work; any damage to the frame alone during transport does not constitute a claim).

Origin: Italian private collection. The work is sold as per photographic documentation and guaranteed to be legally provenance. Professional insured shipping with rigid, custom-made shockproof packaging and trackable express courier.