Our Lady of Graces of Ghiandolino. Dimensions: 21 x 27.5 x 2.4 cm.

Here, the Virgin Mary is sitting on a rock holding Baby Jesus who is using a saw to cut through a mountain. The vast mountain scape in the background includes a scattering of churches and bell towers that symbolize all the monasteries, churches and sanctuaries linked to this European cult. According to local tradition, when the image was removed from the old tree, the ants that had made a nest in its roots followed it in seven lines to the altar it was placed on. And even if the tree was dry and disfigured it continued to sprout new leaves for many years. The range of colours used for this plaque are applied in varying intensities over the whole composition in lively contrasts.