Ismeretlen festő MJ

Oil painting, half-length Madonna with Child composition. The figures are arranged in a pyramid-like manner, the body of the child held by Mary slightly turned outwards, its face directed towards the viewer. The background features a cloudy, light blue sky, with deeper, greenish-blue tones at the edges. The color palette consists of warm ochres, burnt sienna, and glowing whites, contrasting with the dark blue mantle; on the white shoulder scarf, thicker, paste-like brushstrokes can be observed, while smooth, glazed transitions are visible on the flesh surfaces. The glories appear as glowing, diffuse auras, and the intersection of gazes conveys calm reverence. The layering of the clothing – ochre-yellow sleeves, dark blue mantle, pale rosy-beige scarf – suggests an academic, 19th-20th century studio practice. At the bottom left corner, the drapery turns blue, which supports the composition. In the bottom right corner, a monogram that reads MJ appears. Style: academic-devotional, following Italian-Spanish patterns (Sassoferrato/Murillo). Possible decades: 1900–1940.

Key details:

• MJ monogram in the bottom right corner.

• Glowing, diffuse glories around the heads.

• Paste-like, broken white highlights on the shoulder scarf.

• Contrast of the dark blue mantle and ochre-yellow sleeves.

• Cotton-like, light blue clouds in the background.

Attribution Candidates

There is no authentically named creator; the style suggests a devotional studio copy. Possible candidates/circles:

• Follower of Sassoferrato (active: 19th-20th century) – idealized faces, blue mantle, and soft glories.

• Follower of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (active: 19th-20th century) – warm ochre skin tones, emotive Child face.

• Viennese academic copy workshop (c. 1890–1930) – correct, academic drawing and composition.

• Hungarian studio painter with the monogram 'MJ' (c. 1920–1950) – based on the marking and the small size, altar-like presentation.

• Italian devotional image painter (1900–1940) – drapery and light treatment following Italian iconographic tradition.

• 19th-century copier of Raffaello paraphrases (1850–1900) – 'Sistine'-type, cloudy background, and calm frontal Madonna.

• Follower of Carlo Dolci (19th century) – idealized female face, smooth surface treatment.

The inscription '23' on the back appears to be a warehouse/note indication, not a creator's name.