unusual Chinese acrylic painting

An unusual Chinese acrylic painting of Our Lady on silk is currently on display at the Carmelite Priory in Mdina. Contrary to the usual Caucasian representations of The Blessed Virgin, the 20th century painting portrays a Chinese Our Lady of the Scapular with delicate features and robed in bright colours, holding baby Jesus. This painting has been brought over from Il-Lunzjata Carmelite Retreat House in Rabat to the Carmelite Priory Museum in Mdina as part of an exhibition being held in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the titular statue of the Virgin of Mt Carmel by the Maltese sculptor Andrea Imbroll renowned, especially in Portugal, for his ivory miniature sculptures. Some 40 paintings of Our Lady have been sourced from Carmelite priories across the island for this special exhibition, which was opened in time for the feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel celebrated in Mdina on 24 July. These works all evoke a sense of devotion and are vehicles of meditation – a fitting complement to the peaceful priory.