The Immaculate Conception (Joachim en Anna receiving the Virgin Mary from God the Father)

Unknown artist

This is a study for a large altarpiece. It is an unusual variant on the theme of the Immaculate Conception (the doctrine that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin), in which Mary is shown being sent by god directly from heaven to her parents. Tiepolo was among the earliest painters to execute oil-sketches as independent works in which the richness and brilliance of his brushwork and colouring could be fully enjoyed.