The , commonly known as the ''Madonna of the Streets'' ( it, Madonna delle vie) or , was a painting by

Roberto Ferruzzi Roberto Ferruzzi (; 16 December 1853 – 16 February 1934) was a Dalmatian Italian artist. He is best known for the painting ''Madonnina'' that won the second Venice Biennale in 1897. Biography Roberto Ferruzzi was born in Sebenico in D ...

(1854–1934) that won the second Venice Biennale in 1897. The models for this painting were 11-year-old Angelina Cian and her younger brother. Although not originally a religious painting, it was popularized as an image of the Virgin Mary holding her infant son, and has become the most renowned of Ferruzzi's works. The original artwork is believed to be a vertical Sepia painting in a gold gilded frame approximately 27cm in Height and 21cm wide.

Fate of the original painting

The original painting made its first appearance at the Venice Biennale in 1897.

John George Alexander Leishman John George Alexander Leishman (March 28, 1857 – March 27, 1924) was an American businessman and diplomat. He worked in various executive positions at Carnegie Steel Company and later served as an ambassador for the United States. Early life ...

, a steel entrepreneur and diplomat, who died in France in 1924 in France, bought the painting but not the reproduction rights; he is the last known owner. It is possible that the image entered a private art collection in Pennsylvania in the 1950s, but the current location of the original is unknown. An original oil painting entitled ''Madonna and Child'' from Florence was bequeathed to the

Sisters of St. Casimir The Sisters of Saint Casimir are a Roman Catholic religious community of women founded in 1907 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, by Mother Maria Kaupas. It is dedicated to Saint Casimir, patron saint of Lithuania. Description Mother Maria, a native of Li ...

by a certain Dr. Edgar W. Crass in 1950 and bears a striking resemblance to the current prints of the missing ''La Madonnina'' by Ferruzzi. A second possibility is that it was lost at sea in the Atlantic Ocean on a voyage from Europe to the United States. A claim that a version belonging to a religious group may be the original painting appeared recently but openly admits it lacks support. Another version possibly having belonged to an artist also surfaced but has not been guaranteed as authentic by the dealer offering it.

Popular usage

Although the original has disappeared, it has not hindered the popularity and use of the image. Copies of the original are frequently featured on

holy cards In the Christian tradition, holy cards or prayer cards are small, devotional pictures for the use of the faithful that usually depict a religious scene or a saint in an image about the size of a playing card. The reverse typically contains a pray ...

, portraits, and greeting cards. The belief and hope that it will still be found somewhere is very real and the painting, if found, is said to be worth $18 million USD. The following are several notable uses of the image: * The ''Madonna of the Streets'' is featured as a mosaic in

Sts. Peter and Paul Church, San Francisco Saints Peter and Paul Church ( it, Ss. Pietro e Paolo, ) is a Roman Catholic Church in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. Located at 666 Filbert Street, it is directly across from Washington Square and is administered by the Salesians o ...

, California. * Members of the

Sisters of Life Sisters of Life is a female Roman Catholic religious institute, following the Augustinian rule. It is both a contemplative and active religious community, dedicated to the promotion of anti-abortion causes. The abbreviation S.V. stands for Sorores ...

receive a medal of the ''Madonna of the Streets'' at their first profession.Formation of the Sisters of Life

Gallery

Notes

References

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External links