Italian Low Relief Representing "the Visitation", Polychrome Wood, Early 17th Century

In the foreground, we find Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist, who kneels before her cousin Mary, herself pregnant with Christ.
Virgo has a young and graceful face. She is wearing a long dress covered with a cloak. Her hair falls gently down to her shoulders.
Elisabeth is depicted as an older woman wearing a veil.
In the background, we see a decoration which is the home of Zachariah, (the husband of Elizabeth) who is wearing a hat.
He comes to meet the two women and welcomes Mary.

The attitudes of the characters, the background decoration, the polychromy as well as the original gilding make this panel a fine example of Italian productions from the beginning of the 17th century.

Original polychrome and gilding
Walnut
Italy
Early 17th century

Historical Annecdote: Celebrated by the Catholic Church on May 31, the feast of the Visitation evokes the visit of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elisabeth. Despite her old age, Elizabeth was going to have a son, John the Baptist, while Mary had just received a visit from the angel Gabriel, who announced to her that she would give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world. This episode is recorded in the Gospel of Luke.