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Juan de Valdes Leal, 'The Immaculate Conception with Two Donors', probably 1661

About the work

The Virgin Mary, crowned with 12 stars and standing on a crescent moon, is surrounded by flowers associated with her purity, a mirror and the crown denoting her position as Queen of Heaven.

The painting refers to the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception (the belief that the Virgin was conceived without sin). Much of the imagery associated with this belief was derived from the Old Testament Song of Solomon, once attributed to Solomon, the King of Israel, whose throne is probably to be identified with that at the top of the staircase to the left. Two life-size figures, the donors, appear in the lower corners – an old woman in mourning dress and a man, presumably her son.

Valdés Leal has used variations in light and tone to distinguish between the earthly and heavenly realms. We are led from the dark, solid forms of the donors in the foreground to the brighter image of the Virgin, and then to the ethereal figure of God.

Key facts

Full title
The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, with Two Donors
Artist
Juan de Valdes Leal
Artist dates
1622 - 1690
Date made
probably 1661
Medium and support
oil on canvas
Dimensions
189.7 × 204.5 cm
Inscription summary
Signed; Dated
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1889
Inventory number
NG1291
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection
Frame
17th-century Italian Frame

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.