\paperw19995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 This canvas was painted at the beginning of CaravaggioÆs stay in Naples. While the soberly-dressed Dominicans distribute ro
saries to the poor, kneeling at the door of the church, the human-like figure of the Virgin appears. She is unperceived by the crowd. Only the face of the imposing figure of the friar on the left, toward whom the Virgin is turned, is veiled with an exp
ression of knowing. He seems to be sharing in the mystery of her apparition.\par
Light is always the force of CaravaggioÆs paintings and is used here to pick out every detail, from the noblest to the most banal. Thus it plays over the solid musculatur
e of the young man in the foreground, the dirty feet of the two kneeling figures û recalling their long pilgrimage û and the yellow clothes of the praying boy.\par
The hands that emerge from the darkness and are the dominant features of the painting may
be raised in entreaty or folded in prayer.\par
The faces, portrayed from life, display a variety of emotions: most expressive is the serene and realistic depiction of the young woman called on to play the role of the Virgin.\par
Particular attention h
as been devoted to the monksÆ portraits that are all visible. A red drape looms over all the figures. It was included to balance the dark and illuminated areas and to renew the Renaissance concept of spatiality and realistic perspective.
