Novohispanic artist. Santo Domingo or Mexico. 18th Century. "Our Lady of Altagracia" Oil on canvas. 43 x 32 cm. On one hand, Saint Joseph's physiognomy suggests the painter José de Páez (Mexico City, 1727 - c. 1780) as the artist, but on the other hand, the fact that this Marian devotion is distinctly Dominican opens up other possibilities. The revered and pious image of Our Lady of Altagracia is a Catholic Marian devotion considered to be the "spiritual and protective mother of the Dominican people." Her feast day is celebrated on January 21st in the Dominican Republic, at the Basilica of Higüey. In the central oval of faux latticework and gilding, we find Mary, adoring her Child, accompanied by Saint Joseph and assisted by Saint Blaise or a donor holding a candle at the birth of the Saviour. Below, the title of the painting appears in a cartouche that reads: “Na Sra de Alta Gracia en cuya presencia ninguna parturienta fallece” (Our Lady of High Grace, in whose presence no parturient woman dies.) Surrounding this central devotion are six medallions containing other saints specifically venerated by the person who commissioned the painting: From left to right and top to bottom: Saint Ignatius of Loyola, in the centre Saint Catherine of Siena in mystical embrace with the crucified Jesus, and Pope Innocent XII, with his beard and moustache which he kept throughout his life, risking excommunication (as the Council of Toulouse had forbidden facial hair as it was considered to be a symbol of committed sins). At the bottom left is a martyr crowned with thorns, holding a martyr's palm and a chalice (unidentified), in the centre is a bishop (unidentified), and on the right is Saint Arcadius, who died a cruel death defending his faith and refusing to renounce it. The painting in this lot is framed and protected with glass, and it comes in a wooden travel case for safe transport. It was taken to visit sick women and those in labour in order to assist them. It also includes a devotional Book of the Novena to this Marian image, printed in Bilbao in 1934. There has been some wear to the layers of paint. Provenance: Orue Family Collection. Las Arenas, Bilbao, since the early 20th century, at least.