Displaying items by tag: the visitation

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is putting a timely and powerful painting on display.

The museum in Richmond recently acquired "The Visitation" by 17th-century Baroque master Mattia Preti, which depicts the first episode in the life of Christ recorded by Luke.

According to the museum, the painting depicts the meeting of the Virgin Mary with her older cousin Elizabeth following the annunciation by the angel Gabriel. Elizabeth, who was soon to give birth to John the Baptist, recognizes that Mary has been chosen as the mother of the son of God and greets her with a blessing.

The San Diego Museum of Art on Friday announced the acquisition of a major painting by one of the most important Spanish artists of the 17th century.

The Museum said “The Visitation” by Juan de Valdés Leal will be a “transformative presence” in the European art galleries, where it joins an already world-renowned collection of Spanish paintings.

“We are thrilled to acquire this extraordinary painting, which is the first work by Juan de Valdés Leal to enter the collection. It builds on the existing strength of our holdings of Spanish art and raises the overall significance of the collection to a new level.” said Roxana Velásquez, executive director of the museum.