Glory of the Virgin with the Archangel Gabriel and Saints Eusebius, Roch, and Sebastian c. 1724 - 1725

Sebastiano Ricci painted *Glory of the Virgin with the Archangel Gabriel and Saints* using oil on canvas. The composition is structured along a rising diagonal, leading the eye upwards from the saints at the bottom to the Virgin Mary in the heavens. The use of dynamic brushstrokes and vibrant colors lends the scene a sense of movement and energy. Ricci employs a painterly style which was fashionable in Venice during the early 18th century. The soft modeling of figures and dramatic lighting effects create a theatrical atmosphere. The materiality of paint is evident in the free and expressive brushwork. Ricci destabilizes the traditional hierarchical arrangement, giving the artwork a sense of immediacy. The painting can be understood through the lens of semiotics, where the archangel acts as a messenger between the earthly and divine realms. This work reflects broader cultural concerns related to faith and divine intervention. The diagonal construction of the painting serves as a conduit for the viewer's gaze, inviting contemplation and spiritual reflection.