Madonnina

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The Madonnina, commonly known as the Madonna of the Streets, was a painting created by Roberto Ferruzzi and first publicly exhibited in 1897 at an art exhibition in Venice. The models for this painting were Angelina^[1] Cian^[2] (age 11) and her younger brother^[3]. Although not originally painted as a religious picture, this painting was received by the public as a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary holding her Infant Son, and has become the most renowned of Ferruzzi's works.

[edit] The Fate of the Original Painting

The original painting made its first appearance at an art exhibition in Venice in 1897^[4]. Mr. John G. A. Leishman, who died in 1924 in France^[5], is the last owner of which this article's editors are currently certain. It is possible that the image became part of a private art collection in Pennsylvania the 1950s^[6], but the current location of the original is unknown to the editors of this article.

A second possibility is that it was lost at sea in the Atlantic Ocean on a voyage from Europe to the United States.^[7]

An oil painting appeared recently that may be the original painting^[8], but it has not been guaranteed by the agency possessing it.^[9]

[edit] Popular Usage

Although the original has disappeared, it has not hindered the great popularity and usage of the image. Copies of the original are frequently featured on holycards, portraits, and greeting cards.

The following are several notable uses of the image:

• The Madonna of the Streets is featured as a mosaic in St. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco, California.^[10]
• Members of the Sisters of Life receive a medal of the Madonna of the Streets at their first profession.^[11]

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ One source cites her first name as "Angela," but this is probably incorrect
2. ^ Cian was her maiden surname and her surname at the time of the painting's creation. She was later married to Antonio Bovo (one source cites Antonio's surname as "Boro," but this is probably incorrect).
3. ^ The name and age of this boy are currently unknown to Wikipedia editors
4. ^ Madonna of the Streets
5. ^ Information about Mary as the "Madonna of the Street"
6. ^ The true story behind "Madonnina"
7. ^ This information was contributed by a user who apparently was a descendant of Roberto Ferruzzi. If the editors of this article discover more information about this second possible fate of the painting, it will be mentioned in future editions of this article.
8. ^ The Madonnina
9. ^ Conditions of Sale
10. ^ Interior of SS. Peter and Paul Church
11. ^ Formation of the Sisters of Life

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