Miguel Cabrera, (Oaxaca 1695-1768 Mexico City)

The Virgin of Guadalupe

The Virgin of Guadalupe
signed 'Cabrera fe' (lower left)
oil on canvas
87.6 x 65.2cm (34 1/2 x 25 11/16in).

Miguel Cabrera was one of the most celebrated and prolific artists in New Spain in the 18th century. Renowned for his casta paintings, Cabrera and his workshop created a number of secular and religious works, including versions of the present subject, a popular motif derived from the 16th century Icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1751 Cabrera gathered with other Mexican artists to examine the original and determine if the work was of a supernatural origin. He prepared a study and analysis of the icon, deliberating on the technique in which it was executed, and his findings were published in 1756 under the title Maravilla americana y conjunto de raras maravillas observadas con la dirección de las reglas del arte de la pintura en la prodigiosa Imagen de Nuestra Sra. de Guadalupe de México.

The present work depicts the Virgin in her Mandorla in the centre, scenes from her life in all four corners and a possible view of Guadalupe, lower centre. A similar work, with an inscription instead of a landscape, was offered at Christie's, New York, 18 November 2004, lot 64.