The Virgin Adored by Saints 1604 - 1614

Ippolito Scarsella, known as Scarsellino, painted “The Virgin Adored by Saints” with oil on copper, during the late 16th or early 17th century, a period marked by the Catholic Church's efforts to reaffirm its authority amidst the Protestant Reformation. The painting captures a hierarchical vision of the divine, reinforcing the Church’s teachings. At the top we have the Virgin Mary, central to Catholic doctrine and veneration, elevated amidst angels. Below, male saints dominate the earthly realm, reinforcing traditional gender roles within the Church. Even the inclusion of what appear to be female saints are shrouded and deferential in the presence of their male counterparts. Interestingly, the inclusion of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, known as a protector of souls in Purgatory, reflects the Church's emphasis on intercession and the importance of saints as mediators between the divine and humanity. This painting, with its serene yet structured composition, served as a visual affirmation of faith, reinforcing the Church's established social and spiritual order.