Paliotto with depiction of the Child Jesus

Author: Messina manufacturing

Dating: Last fourth sec. XVIII

Material: Taffetas embroidered in gold and polychrome silks

Place Milazzo, Convent of San Domenico, Oratory of the Holy Name of Jesus

The precious Paliotto was used in the solemnity to decorate the only altar present in the Oratory of the Congregation of the Blessed Name of Jesus. The work consists of a fine embroidery in gold and silk on silk, which, from the stylistic point of view, can be reasonably attributed to the last quarter of the eighteenth century, and is considered to be the work of refined craftsmen from Messina. On an ivory silk background is embroidered a set of polychrome decorations with floral and phyto-morphic motifs. Delicate flowering racemes are alternated with simple volutes linked to each other, which is made by the external frame, on the major sides, the motif of the “Greek” in gold.

In the centre of the top, surmounted by a five-pointed crown, a border of flowers frames the oval medallion on which is painted the image of the Salvator Mundi Bambino. The Divine Infant is represented on an intense blue background, covered only by a purple red drape that surrounds the figure, standing with open arms. He raises his right hand in a blessing act, while with his left he holds up a wrapped globe symbolizing the universe. A small crown is embroidered on the Child’s head, which covers the top of the halo around the head. The figure appears on the IHS logo, inscribed in gold embroidery. Two palm holders with Greek handles juxtaposed equidistant the central medallion, supporting perfectly symmetrical bundles of flowers as the rest of the composition. The canvas is enclosed in a moulded wooden frame, decorated with gold leaf.

Italiano S., Lanuzza S. (a cura di), Tesori di Milazzo. Arte sacra tra Seicento e Settecento., Milazzo 2015