Immaculate Conception (front and rear views)

The bold design for the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is a fine example of Austrian High Baroque. It was executed as a study. Standing with her right foot on the crescent moon, balanced on the globe, the figure is shown defying gravity in a violently contorted pose, as prescribed by Italian Mannerists. Following the perspective around, the beholder’s gaze is led by the spiral line of the drapery in a perpetual transformation of physical substance to the point of complete dematerialization. In the rear view, the figure appears merely as the shape of a cloud floating on the sky.

A monumental version in bronze, which was not executed, was probably based on this figure, and would have been conceived as part of a spatially expansive ensemble.