Oil On Canvas " Our Lady Of The Sea" By Georges Frederic

Oil on canvas " Our Lady of the Sea" by Georges Frederic
A Virgin Mary with Child can be seen in the center. This dark-skinned depiction of the Virgin Mary is shown in a traditional, icon-like pose. Both figures wear richly ornamented golden crowns, and Mary holds a scepter surmounted by a star in her right hand, emphasizing her role as royal and celestial protector.
The composition is highly symmetrical. On either side of the base, two white ceramic vases contain bouquets of stiff golden metallic flowers, further emphasizing the nature of this painting as an offering of gratitude for safety at sea.
A large, highly detailed miniature sailboat rests at the foot of the Virgin, while the Infant Jesus holds a small golden boat in his hands.
Behind the central figures stretches a vast sea or harbor of brilliant blue. It's filled with a dense, glittering forest of golden masts and ships, rendered in a style reminiscent of gold leaf. This creates a "golden harbor" that represents the maritime communities under its protection.
Georges Frédéric (1900-1981) was a renowned Belgian painter, known for his lyrical interpretations of coastal life and maritime scenes. This 1975 work is a classic example of his style, blending religious iconography with his recurring motifs of harbors and ships.
Signed and dated (1975) in the lower right corner
The wooden frame features a stepped profile and gold-painted finish.
The frame measures 72 cm wide and 92 cm high.
The work measures 58 cm wide and 78 cm high.
Total weight: 6 kg.
Belgian art from the 1970s.