This extremely modest copy of the well-known motif of the Virgin of Silence or of Sleep, who inspired such devotion in the 17^th century, is of interest due to its minute – and almost naïve – gold profile. It seems to be a work of the type painted by nuns for their private worship, where they copied prints and added the saints to whom they professed special devotion. In this case Saint Agnes appears with a lamb, her traditional attribute. If the signature could be read, identifying author would add to the interest of this work on copper, which is currently a mere curiosity.

• Alfonso Pérez Sánchez
• Carlos Martín