Madonnina Roberto Ferruzzi Antique Wood Framed Reproduction Print Rustic Aged For Sale

A beautiful vintage reproduction print of the famous painting by Roberto Ferruzzi - Madonnina or Madonna of the Streets - a religious portrait depicting Mary andinfant Jesus sleeping in her arms. There is no visible artist’s signature. The print is presented in a rather primitive antique wooden frame with no hanging wire.Unknown wood but the grain reminds us of mahogany. The cracked and torn old paper backing has a word written largely across the back in pencil "Honey".
Perhaps it was originallya gift tosomeone called Honey (sixth photo). The print itself is aged in color, almost sepia.Frame Outside Dimensions: 14 1/2" x 11 1/2" x 1/2" thick
Frame Inside Dimensions: 11 9/16" x 8 3/4"
The piece weighs 1 pound 13.8 ounces alone.
There is no hanging wire on the back but there are two holes in the back top that look like they were used for hanging (our tenth photo shows the hole on one side).Easel is not included.History:The Madonnina has a curious past: the original oil painting has disappeared, its last known owner being J. G. A. Leishman, the early 20th century US Ambassadorto Switzerland, Turkey, Italy and Germany, also a millionaire businessman. Leishman bought the painting while serving in Italy, but he did not buy the reproductionrights. Various copies of the original have since become widely popular, and are featured not only on holy cards and portraits, but also as large-scale sacral motifs,such as that on a mosaic in Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco.The author Roberto Ferruzzi was a lawyer and a self-taught painter born in Sibenik, Croatia in 1853. His most famous work Madonnina (the little mother) made itsfirst appearance at an art exhibition in Venice in 1897, and was a success. The author did not paint it as a religious picture, though: his models were an 11-year-oldgirl Angelina and her baby brother, who caught the painter's eye while on a stroll in Venice. Owing to Catholic art lovers in Italy, the painting became immediatelyinterpreted as a charming depiction of the Virgin Mary holding her infant son. This misconception is probably responsible for the painting’s enduring popularity as areligious portrait.
In good aged condition. Paper on back is torn in many places; some minor debris present under the glass, surface wear to frame, especially around the outer edges. One nail brad is protruding out at the top of the wood frame (last photo). The wood is rough and will leave splinters if not handled carefully. There is no hanging wire but two large holes in the back for mounting on a wall.
416200 Pink Tag MFRB