Madonna of Care A Lot (The Madonna of Tantamore)

Paolo Pilotti, in the work "The Madonna of Tantamore", reproduces on canvas a Virgin that is very reminiscent of the "Madonna and Child in Glory" created by Sassoferrato in the 17th century and preserved in the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. The colors of the garments worn by the Madonna and painted with great skill by Pilotti are the classics of Christian iconography, namely: red dress and blue cloak, this last garment, however, is branded by the artist with various Louis Vuitton symbols. Mary is not sitting on a soft bed made up of vaporous clouds as in the creations of the Roman painter, but on a throne made with bags of the brand held by the multinational LVMH, which floats above a series of clouds. The Virgin no longer holds Baby Jesus in her welcoming arms, but a cute brownish teddy bear represented with a large heart on his chest. In this work we can notice two other affable little bears: The first portrait at the bottom left in a yellow shade which seems to have the typical combination wheel of safes on its chest, while above, next to the trendy Virgin, another one emerges from a Louis Vuitton bag Pink teddy bear. The scene takes place in the Kingdom of Heaven which is strewn with stars and hearts by Pilotti. Furthermore, the Virgin is represented by the Roman artist with sumptuous jewels: in fact she wears chains and an earring in the shape of a crucifix that emits a brilliant light catches the eye. The Coredemptrix is ​​therefore transformed into a Pop icon strongly influenced by our contemporaneity: she flaunts her jewels, her shopping bags and her clothes. Images from the history of Renaissance art come to terms with our present. The Madonna of Tantamore seems to be at ease in our contemporaneity characterized by the unbridled display of luxury.