Andalusian school; second half of the 17th century. "Virgin of the Rosary with Oria of flowers". Oil on canvas. Re-drawn. Presents a 19th century frame. Measurements: 77 x 51 cm; 88 x 63 cm (frame). Fully baroque image, of scenographic presentation, that shows us the Virgin with the Child in her lap, seated on a throne of clouds, with heads of cherubs at her feet. Both figures hold the same rosary, which shows a great complicity between the two figures, who are shown to the viewer as one. The figure of Mary is a monumental, well-seated and sculptural figure, typical of the classicist Baroque, and occupies most of the pictorial surface, directly illuminated by a clear and uniform light, which models avoiding the excesses of tenebrism and creates a soft play of light and half-shadows. This light gives the flesh tones of both figures a pearly appearance, in keeping with the classical idealisation they show. The colours, especially the pink and red of the Virgin's tunic, dominate the composition and are framed by the greyish blue of the cloak. The figures stand out well silhouetted against a golden background of Gloria, subtly worked with shades of ochre and yellow, which is in turn framed by a large wreath of flowers with white and pink roses. The iconography of the Virgin of the Rosary is directly related to the figure of Saint Dominic. Tradition, which began in the 15th century, tells that the mother of God herself taught the saint to pray the rosary in 1208, telling him to propagate this devotion and to use it as a powerful weapon against the enemies of the faith. Appearing in the chapel where the saint was praying, holding a rosary in his hand, he taught him to recite it, promising that many sinners would be converted and obtain abundant graces. St. Dominic went out of there full of zeal, with the rosary in his hand. He did indeed preach it, and with great success, bringing many Albingenses back to the Catholic faith. Dimensions 77 x 51 cm; 88 x 63 cm (frame).