The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Catherine of Sienna

At the center of the piece, in front of a background of clouds, we can see the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child; both of them are holding a rosary, which is why this figure can be identified as the Virgin of the Rosary, whose devotion was encouraged by the Dominican Order. However, She is also standing atop a halt moon and a dragon, which associates Her with the woman of the Apocalypse. Around Her there are nineteen cherubs bearing natural objects that symbolize the virtues of the Virgin, reminding us of Her sinless conception, so that we also recognize Her as the Virgin Mary. At the Virgins feet is Saint Catherine of Alexandria, dressed as a princess, and Saint Catherine of Sienna, wearing the Dominican habit. The Holy Ghost is hovering above the Virgins head, in the form of a dove. Above the latter, God the Father appears, from the waist up, to complete the Trinity. This work passed from the San Diego Viceregal Painting Gallery to the MUNAL in the year 2000.