Rare piece due to its extraordinarily size (35 cms x 25 cms) and quality. This intriguing artwork is an ex-voto, a devotional offering made in gratitude for divine protection. Created in 1835 by Pietro Paternoster, it depicts a harrowing maritime scene where a ship is saved from disaster through heavenly intervention. The painting shows a three-masted sailing vessel battling turbulent seas under stormy skies. Divine assistance is represented by the Virgin Mary and Child appearing in a radiant cloud, identified as "Alpes Maritimes" - likely referring to Our Lady of the Maritime Alps. Their presence suggests the sailor's prayers were answered in a moment of extreme peril. This ex-voto belongs to a tradition of votive offerings common among seafaring communities. Such pieces were commissioned by survivors of near-disasters at sea to give thanks for their salvation. The vivid imagery - with swirling clouds, choppy waves, and the ship's precarious angle - dramatically conveys the danger faced by Pietro Paternoster and his crew. The style blends naive and folk art elements with more sophisticated techniques, particularly in the detailed rendering of the ship's rigging. The use of color is evocative, with brooding purples in the sky contrasting against the golden tones of divine light. The handwritten inscription at the bottom reads: "Voto fatto per Pietro Paternoster. Alpes Maritimes. 1835." This translates to "Ex Voto made by Pietro Paternoster. Maritime Alps. 1835," confirming the piece's votive nature and origin. For a devout Christian, this ex-voto serves as a powerful reminder of faith's strength in times of crisis and the comfort found in divine protection. It stands as a tangible testament to answered prayers and miraculous deliverance. Condition Report: The wooden panel shows signs of age-related wear, some chips at the corners and a restoration made at the bottom to reinforce the bottom area and prevent it to split from the rest.