Spanish school; 19th century. "Virgin of Mount Carmel. Oil on canvas. Measurements: 28 x 23 cm; 46 x 41 cm (frame). Devotional scene in which the artist presents the image of the Virgin and the Child in the centre of a break of Glory, with golden and pink tonalities. We know that this is the invocation of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, becae Mary is holding in one of her hands the scapular with the insignia of the Carmelites. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is named after Mount Carmel in Israel. Tradition has it that during the celebration of Pentecost, some of the faithful on this mountain were converted to Catholicism after an apparition of Our Lady. There they founded a temple in honour of Mary, the origin of the congregation of the Brothers of St Mary of Mount Carmel, which came to Europe in the 13th century after their persecution in the Holy Land. In 1251, her image is said to have appeared to Saint Simon Stock, superior general of the Order, to whom she gave her habits and the scapular, the main sign of the Carmelite Marian cult. According to tradition, Our Lady promised to free from Purgatory and to take to heaven all the souls who wore the scapular during their lifetime, a belief that has been endorsed by the Popes. Marian devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has spread to many countries in Europe and America, including Spain, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Colombia, Chile and Argentina. Ours is one of the countries where this devotion is most deeply rooted. The fishermen named the Virgen del Carmelo their faithful protector and, in addition, the Spanish Navy granted her the title of patron saint. For this reason, the Virgen del Carmen is also known as "Stella Maris" ("the star of the seas").Dimensions: 28 x 23 cm; 46 x 41 cm (frame).