Madonna of Mount Carmel Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770)

In this dramatic Baroque painting, Madonna of Mount Carmel, the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child are depicted descending from a powerful celestial light, surrounded by swirling clouds. Below them, a complex scene unfolds, symbolizing salvation and spiritual devotion.

On the left, a winged figure, possibly an angel, is seen lowering a rich brown garment, representing the scapular, towards a group of figures below. These figures are in various states of supplication and distress. One man is prostrate on the ground, his body contorted in agony, while others are on their knees, reaching out in prayer. The celestial light illuminates the scene from above, creating a stark contrast with the dark, stormy background, highlighting the divine intervention.

In the center, Saint Simon Stock, a Carmelite prior general, kneels and receives the scapular from the Virgin Mary. He is depicted with a flowing beard and wearing a dark robe. A bishop, traditionally identified as Saint Albert of Jerusalem, stands beside him, holding a crosier and seemingly presenting Saint Simon to the Virgin. Beside them, an angel holds a book and a torch, signifying wisdom and divine illumination.

To the right, other figures, likely Carmelite friars, are shown in various gestures of devotion and awe. They are dressed in their characteristic brown habits. The presence of these figures reinforces the central theme of the Carmelite order and its connection to the Virgin Mary and the scapular.

The composition masterfully uses light and shadow (chiaroscuro) to create a sense of drama and spiritual intensity. The vibrant colors, dynamic movement of the figures, and the overall theatricality are hallmarks of the Baroque style.

Subtexts:

• Salvation and Divine Grace: The descending Virgin Mary and the scapular symbolize divine protection and salvation offered to humanity. The dark, stormy background and the suffering figures represent the trials and tribulations of the earthly world, from which they can be rescued through faith and devotion.
• The Scapular Promise: The painting specifically illustrates the Carmelite tradition of the scapular, believed by the order to be a powerful symbol of Marys protection and a promise of salvation for those who wear it devoutly.
• The Role of the Carmelite Order: The prominent depiction of Carmelite figures, particularly Saint Simon Stock, emphasizes the importance of the order in receiving and propagating the devotion to the Virgin of Mount Carmel and the scapular.
• Spiritual Hierarchy: The arrangement of figures, with Mary and Christ at the celestial apex, and saints and followers below, illustrates a spiritual hierarchy, where intercession and divine favor flow from above.
• Vision and Revelation: The dramatic celestial descent can be interpreted as a divine vision or revelation, reinforcing the spiritual significance of the event depicted.