Josefa de Óbidos’s Holy Family and Sacrificial Lamb: Emblematic Devotions

Liana De Girolami Cheney

Abstract


Josefa Figueira de Ayala Cabrera de Óbidos (1630–1684) was an outstanding Portuguese Baroque painter. She was renowned for her talent and creativity, making her one of the most notable female artists of her time. Her artwork covered both secular and sacred subjects, and she employed various mediums with versatility. Despite having different surnames, she signed her paintings under Josepha em Óbidos. This study delves into her religious art, focusing on her life and career, and analyses two religious paintings, the Lisbon Holy Family and the Baltimore Agnus Dei. Josefa skilfully integrated the spiritual reforms of the Counter-Reformation with the Baroque style in both paintings, emphasising the physical and spiritual aspects of nature. Her paintings were visually appealing, with pleasing colours and intricate detailing. Her use of emblematic and mystical symbolism added to their spiritual significance, resulting in devotional paintings that profoundly affected viewers.

Parole chiave


Agnus Dei; Holy Family; flora and fauna; cartouche; emblems; Christian symbolism; Baroque Portuguese

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Riferimenti bibliografici


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15162/2240-760X/1863

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