Our Lady of Victory - (Calabria)

Archconfraternity of the SS. Rosary

Foundation year: 1401

City: Catanzaro

Archdiocese: Catanzaro-Squillace

Artistic artefact (canvas, fresco, statue, etc.): Painting, oil on canvas

Title: Madonna della Vittoria

Dimensions: 168 x122 cm

Year of execution: 17th century

Author (with year of birth and death): Unknown, unsigned work

Brief description of the work and author profile: Oil painting depicting the Madonna della Vittoria enthroned with the praying sides of Pope Pius V and kneeling Don Giovanni of Austria commander of the fleet of the Holy League victorious in Lepanto against the Ottomans on Sundays of 7 October 1571. Lying on the ground under the feet of the Madonna are the admiral of the Islamic fleet Alì Pascià and "the Renegade", the name with which the Calabrian Uccialì is called. The iconography of the Madonna as Madonna della Vittoria is unusual but somewhat clear and defined. She is in fact depicted dressed as a Roman soldier with an unsheathed sword and shield depicting the Child Jesus. On the crown and on the lap are depicted white and red roses, symbols of the graces bestowed by the Madonna through the prayer of the SS. He remembers the rosary with the crown in view for the recitation. In the background on the left to further contextualize the work, from an opening you can see the exterior depicting the positions of the fleets deployed in the naval battle of the battle of Lepanto on the sea. The frame is from the 19th century decorated with a leaf motif.

Compiled by the Attorney Prof. Sandro Scumaci