GIOVANNI BATTISTA SALVI, IL SASSOFERRATO (1609-1685). His studio. THE MADONNA IN PRAYER. Oil on canvas 49.5 x 38cm. * This subject was Salvi's most popular theme and it was imitated frequently during his lifetime. Drawing upon the inspiration of Raphael, Guido Reni and (inevitably) his teacher Domenichino, the image's widespread dissemination throughout Italy coincided with a rise in demand for images celebrating the cult of the Virgin during the latter part of the 17th Century. *CR Lined; some craquelure; scattered retouching; needs a light clean.