Anonymous Love, Madonna of the Streets

Description

Painter Roberto Ferruzzi saw a young girl holding her baby brother in the streets of Venice and talked her into posing for him. She looks slightly worried, but the baby sleeps cozy and happily in her arms. The painting called "The Little Madonna" gained wide favor and popularity and came to be known as "The Madonna of the Streets".

But whatever happened to the 11 year old girl who held her brother that day? Angela Cian immigrated to the United States, landing at Ellis Island in 1906 with her husband. The couple settled in San Francisco and had ten children. Angela' husband died in 1929 of influenza and the strain of ten children, the youngest 6 months old, and her inability to speak English caused Angela to suffer a nervous breakdown from which she never recovered. The children were scattered to the winds.

One of them became a nun. Sister Angela, named for a mother she had never known, at an advanced age began looking for her brothers and sisters and her roots. Imagine her shock to find that her mother was the subject of a famous painting, revered by Catholics around the world. The family in Italy had always hidden the fact that Angela was the girl in the painting because they didn't care for the new title..."of the streets" meant "prostitute" to them.

Necklace on fine blue ball chain measures 18".

Added on Nov 04, 2009

Shipping

ship to:	cost:	with another item:
United States	$2.00 USD	$1.00 USD
Everywhere Else	$3.00 USD	$2.00 USD

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