GRECO, El
(b. 1541, Candia, d. 1614, Toledo)

The Virgin Mary

1590s
Oil on canvas, 52 x 36 cm
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Strasbourg

Although sometimes referred to as a Mater Dolorosa, this is not strictly speaking an image of the anguished mother of Christ meditating upon his Passion. Rather it is a less specific devotional painting of the Virgin Mary, ultimately deriving from Byzantine prototypes, intended for private prayer. A version of the painting, usually accepted as autograph (bearing a retouched signature) is in the Prado, Madrid. The Virgin's expression differs slightly there and she has a gentle smile on her lips.