Spanish Renaissance school; 16th century."Imposition of the Chasuble on Saint Ildefonso".Oil on pine panel.It presents faults and restorations.Measurements: 127 x 98 cm.Surrounded by a great cortege of angels that flank the image, the Virgin, enthroned on clouds, bows slightly giving a chasuble to a religious who kneels down and receives it in ecstasy before the presence of the Queen of the heavens. The image is conceived in perspective, which is very marked thanks to the use of the checkerboard on the ground. Furthermore, in order to establish the scene, although the artist divides the space into a heavenly area for the Virgin and an earthly area for the saint, the composition is of a classical nature, based on a triangle with the figure of the Virgin at the top, the saint at the lower right and a little angel at the other end. In addition, the colour treatment based on light tones helps the understanding of the image, thus conveying a calm, elegant and delicate painting. As for the subject, it should be noted that the gesture between the Virgin and the Saint indicates that it is the imposition of the chasuble on Saint Ildefonso.Saint Ildefonso of Toledo (Toledo, 607-667), son of Visigoth parents and nephew of Saint Eugene III, was archbishop of Toledo between 657 and 667, and is one of the Fathers of the Church. He studied in Seville under the tutelage of Saint Isidore, and entered the Order of Saint Benedict, fleeing from his parents, noblemen who were opposed to his priestly life. He was later elected abbot of Agalia, near Toledo, and finally archbishop. St. Ildefonso unified the liturgy in Spain, and wrote numerous liturgical and dogmatic works, particularly on the Virgin Mary. The best known passage in his biography is the miracle of his encounter with the Virgin Mary. On the night of 18 December 665, St. Ildefonso went to the church to sing hymns in honour of Mary, accompanied by his clerics and a few other people. When they entered, however, they found the chapel shining with such a dazzling light that they were afraid. All fled except Ildefonso and his two deacons, who entered and approached the altar. Before them was the Virgin Mary, seated on the bishop's chair, surrounded by a company of virgins singing heavenly songs. Mary beckoned the saint to approach and, having obeyed, she fixed her eyes upon him and said: "You are my chaplain and faithful notary. Receive this chasuble which my Son sends you from his treasury". Having said this, Our Lady herself invested him, instructing him to wear the chasuble only on the feast days appointed in her honour.