La Coronación de la Virgen

is a significant painting by the Spanish artist Diego Velázquez, created around the period of 1635-1636, although some sources suggest a broader timeframe of 1635-1648.

Commission and Location

The painting was commissioned for the new prayer chapel of Queen Elizabeth of Bourbon, the wife of King Philip IV of Spain, in the Alcázar de Madrid. It was part of a series of paintings on Marian themes, including works by Alessandro Turchi, which had been sent to Madrid by Cardinal Gaspar de Borja y Velasco.

Description

The painting depicts the Holy Trinity crowning the Blessed Virgin Mary. The composition is characterized by an inverted triangular structure, which creates a sense of equilibrium and harmonious lines, reminiscent of a heart. The Virgin Mary is the central figure, shown with a modest, reverential, and emotional expression. She is seated with her right hand pointing to her heart. God the Father is on the right, God the Son on the left, and the Holy Spirit is represented as a dove above the Virgin's head.

Style and Technique

The painting is notable for its naturalness and simplicity, which sets it apart from other Baroque religious works. Velázquez used a range of colors, including lapis lazuli for the intense blues, organic red lacquer mixed with lead white and calcite for the reds and purples, and azurite for additional shades. The technique involved careful preparation of the canvas and the application of color layers, particularly evident in the translucent reds and the use of glazes.

Iconography

The iconography follows traditional models, with influences from earlier artists such as Dürer and El Greco. The cherub leaning back on the right side of the painting is similar to one in an engraving by Schelte à Bolswert after Rubens' 'Assumption of the Virgin'.

Provenance

After the Alcázar de Madrid was destroyed by a fire in 1734, the painting was saved and later inventoried correctly in the Palacio del Buen Retiro in 1746 and the Palacio Real Nuevo in 1772. It eventually entered the collection of the Museo del Prado in 1819.

Significance

'La Coronación de la Virgen' is one of Velázquez's rare religious works, and it stands out for its devotional nature and the emotional depth it conveys. It is considered an exceptional piece within Velázquez's oeuvre, which is predominantly known for portraits and historical scenes.