Baldi, Lazzaro – Het mystieke huwelijk van de heilige Rosa van Lima., 1666-1670 Rijksmuseum: part 2

The composition centers around a devotional scene imbued with spiritual significance. A woman, presumably representing the Virgin Mary, occupies a prominent position, seated and draped in dark blue fabric that emphasizes her solemnity. She holds a child on her lap, his form rendered with delicate detail and an expression of serene innocence. The child reaches out towards a figure positioned to his right – a woman clad in white robes, her face exhibiting a mixture of reverence and intense spiritual focus.
The artist has placed this second female figure within a cloud-filled space, suggesting a realm beyond the earthly. Her posture is one of humble submission, as if receiving a blessing or divine grace from the seated woman and child. A single rose lies at her feet, a symbolic element often associated with purity, love, and martyrdom in religious iconography.
Surrounding this central grouping are several figures that appear to be angels, their forms partially obscured by the swirling clouds. They seem to witness and participate in the unfolding event, adding to the sense of otherworldly grandeur. The lighting is dramatic, highlighting key elements – the faces of the women, the child’s outstretched hand, and the rose on the ground – while leaving other areas shrouded in shadow.
The overall effect is one of profound spiritual intimacy and divine connection. The artist seems to be exploring themes of faith, grace, and mystical union through a carefully orchestrated arrangement of figures and symbolic objects. The composition suggests a narrative of intercession or revelation, where the second woman is being elevated to a higher state of spiritual understanding through contact with the divine.