(Spanish, Seville/Madrid, 1678-1752)

The Madonna and Christ with sheep, the Archangel Michael saving a wayward sheep, unsigned, a later variation possibly by Mariano Vasquez (or Il Carlin Dolce, Mexican, active circa 1770-1815), oil on canvas, 16-7/8 x 12 in.; gilt wood and composition frame, 26-7/8 x 23-1/4 x 4-3/4 in.

Provenance: Private Collection

Note: The history of devotional figure La Divina Pastora begins in early 17th century Spain when a Capuchin friar named Isidore of Seville had a vision of the Virgin Mary. It is said that he witnessed her as a humble shepherdess. In this work she is decorated modestly in a sheep wool sweater, simple red tunic, blue mantle, and straw hat. La Divina Pastora sits on a rock, holding infant Jesus, the "Lamb of God" and surrounded by her flock, symbolizing the future sacrifice that her son will later make for humanity’s sins. In the background Archangel Michael is flying overhead and protecting a sheep from a wolf, depicting the everlasting struggle of good versus evil. Isidore of Seville felt so compelled by his vision that he had the image commissioned by an artist many believe to be Alonso Miguel de Tovar. The friar felt so moved by his vision that he sought out to share his vision and the newly created devotional painting, leading him from Spain and across the Atlantic. Landing initially in Venezuela, where the knowledge of La Divina Pastora would then spread throughout South America and beyond.

This later reproduction could possibly be dated to the mid to late 18th century as it is lacking the two angels hovering a crown over Mary’s head and roses in the mouths of the sheep, details in the initial painting of La Divina Pastora by Alonso Miguel de Tovar, who was highly influenced by the Sevillian artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo. As more reproductions were made over the years, the composition of the initial work began to shift to simpler images, leaving out roses and the angels previously mentioned.