Description On the Painting: Th tender scene of Our Lady reading what I believe is meant to be a book of prayers to the child Jesus. Jesus leans against Our Lady and attentively follows along. The divinity of Jesus as well as His humanity is so beautifully portrayed; His divinity in the attentive gaze, understanding even though He is so young, and his humanity in the leaning in and holding on to His mother’s clothes. There’s such a delicate balance. William Dyce was a Scottish painter who lived from 1806-1864. He studied in Rome before settling in Edinburgh where he supported himself by painting portraits, and then later religious subject which he preferred. He eventually was invited to London to head what would become the Royal College of Art. ——— This alla prima study is part of my training arc for painting the Litany of Loretto Marian series, which I’ve begun to develop on my Patreon! You can find out more about it here. No prints will be made of the master copy studies. Painted on an archival panel; linen mounted on 3/8″ plywood. It cannot hang by itself, but will fit in most standard 5×7 frames.
