I spent a fair bit of time extricating this painting from the much less wonderful frame that had been literally glued to its perimeter. (Fortunately, the surface of the painting was undisturbed.) Well worth the effort, I'd say! Late 18th/early 19th century I believe, through the serpent quashed by our lady looks quite medieval, and the manner of the text below her does, too. Some weeks especially (like this one) remind me that while I am a lover of many sorts of things, I am an expert on few to none!--and while here I've tried to make sense of the text here (I read the first word as Madre, the second as Louisa, and the last I presume referring to where she is from, De Cay..., that has gotten me nowhere in identifying her specifically. You may know well better than I do.
Whatever the case, quite a gem of a painting I think, and a very holy feeling one, with our "Madre" holding a cross in one hand and pointing heavenward with the other, a key to the kingdom tied with a red string to the long end of her belt just about eye (or tongue!) level to the serpent.
7 3/4" x 4 3/8", polychrome on very clearly very old wood panel. Minor paint loss here and there, all of a piece with it. Just bit of residue of the removed wooden frame just around the sides, not visible and no matter.
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