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The Virgin of the Lilies
Artist	William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Year	1899
Medium	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	27 cm × 18.5 cm (11 in × 7.3 in)

The Virgin of the Lilies (French: La Vierge au lys), also known as The Madonna of the Lilies, is an 1899 oil painting by the French artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau, now owned by a private owner. Its dimensions are 27 × 18.5 cm.

Description

The Virgin Mary is depicted in a seated position, perhaps on the Throne of Wisdom. She is carrying the Christ Child whose arms are stretched out, as if giving a blessing. Lilies are used to symbolise Mary's purity and innocence, and thus are regularly depicted with her, especially during paintings of the Annunciation.

Similarities with other paintings

The poses of Mary and Jesus match the painting Queen of the Angels, another painting by Bouguereau of a similar theme.

The position of the halos also mirror the painting Pieta, the only difference being the age and facial expressions of Mary and Jesus.

References

1. "La Vierge au Lys [The Virgin of the Lilies], 1899". All Art Classic. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
2. "The Madonna of the Lilies". Art History Project. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
3. "Lilies | Glossary | National Gallery, London".
4. "Pieta by William Adolphe Bouguereau - 9 images".

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