Virgin and Child, St Carlo Borromeo, St Giuseppe

In 1615 the town council commissioned Bartolomeo Rusca and Giovanni Antonio Molineri to decorate the altar of San Giuseppe (St. Joseph). Unfortunately the parts in stucco have been lost, but the canvas by Giovanni Antonio Molineri is well preserved, and illustrates the Virgin and Child with San Carlo Borromeo and San Giuseppe. The painting is one of the first works by the artist after his return from his stay in Rome. The figures of San Carlo and San Giuseppe gaze upwards towards Mary, who is surrounded by angels. The child was originally painted nude but was covered with a cloth during a later restoration. In the background the fortified city of Asti is visible.