ITEM# 3508
John Lavalle Vintage oil on Canvas of Virgin Mary at Prayer titled Madonna

Oil on canvas full-face portrait of the Virgin Mary at prayer, titled Madonna, signed John Lavalle, and dated 1933. The renaissance-style gold leaf frame has flat column sides and polychrome painted panels across the top and at the base. John Lavalle's work does not bring strong prices at auction. This is surprising, because he was well-schooled (Harvard University (AB) Boston, Museum of Fine Art School with Philip Hale; Academie Julian, Paris, Jean Francis Auburtin, Paris), and his work was shown and awarded at many top level exhibitions and galleries (PAFA Annual, NAD, Corcoran Gallery, etc). This portrait is painted in a carefully controlled style with a minimum of texture on the canvas. Canvas measures 26 inches high by 19 inches wide and the frame measures 37 inches high by 28 inches wide.

Thank you for your quick reply. I am really shocked at the price. I knew many people here wanted it, but probably figured I didn't know what I had and they wanted to buy it for nothing. I am glad I held on to it.
Thanks again!
- Ann N