Monumental religious painting „Maria in adoration with sleeping child Jesus“ was executed in 1848 by listed Austrian painter Josef Hölzl ( 1808 by Meran - 1891 Wilten) after famous painting of the same title by Italian painter Guido Reni ( 1575 - 1642). The riginal by Reni (93 x 102 cm transversely oval) is in Rome, Galleria Doria Pamphilj, another variant in the picture gallery of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

The author of our painting Josef Hölzl studied at the Draeind School of J.Pirchstaller and under Riesbacher in Meran. From 1833 to 1838 studied he at the Vienna Fine Art Academy. He worked in Lana, since 1840 in Innsbruck, and from time to time in Bavaria and Switzerland and finely in Wilten again. He created most of all portraits and lasted religious subjects.

Literature: Prof.H.Fuchs, Austrian artists of 19th century, V.2, Vienna, 1975; C. Carboli/E. Baccheschi, L´opera completa di Guido Reni, Milano 1971, No. 105; Picture Gallery of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Directory of Paintings Vienna 1991, plate 145.

Inscription: signed and dated on the back of the canvas: " J.Hölzl, 1848"; an antique label on the stretcher in Corinth with tthe memory inscription of the previous owner .

Technique: oil, gold on canvas, Original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 43 3/4" x h 37 1/4" (111 x 94,5 cm); framed 51 1/2" x h 45 1/8" (131 x 114,5 )

Condition: in very good condition