The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception 1768 - 1778

Ubaldo Gandolfi created this ink on paper drawing of ‘The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception’ in the late 18th century, a period marked by the Enlightenment's challenge to traditional religious authority. The piece depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels, standing over a vanquished serpent. Gandolfi’s Virgin is a study in the idealized feminine form, embodying purity and grace, yet her power comes from her divine role as the mother of Christ. This connects to the historical context of the Catholic Church’s emphasis on the Virgin Mary as an intercessor and a symbol of hope. The Immaculate Conception itself speaks to complex dialogues around female sexuality, divinity, and the unique position of Mary within the Catholic faith. Gandolfi’s work invites us to reflect on the historical construction of female identity within religious narratives, and the emotional power vested in figures like the Virgin Mary.