Who painted The Virgin and Child?

The Virgin and Child was painted by Unknown in 1450.

Where can I see The Virgin and Child?

The Virgin and Child is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

The Virgin and Child

The Virgin and Child is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1450 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The work titled *The Virgin and Child* is a black‑and‑white image dating from around 1450, attributed to the artist known as 2112_person. It is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The picture presents a seated woman in a long robe and head covering, holding a small child who leans sideways on her lap, his arm extended outward.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a mother and infant, a motif traditionally associated with the Virgin Mary and the Christ child. The woman's serene expression and the child's slightly playful gesture suggest a tender, intimate moment, emphasizing themes of maternal care and divine tenderness within a devotional context.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a monochrome photographic style, the image relies on strong chiaroscuro to model the figures. Soft, diffused lighting isolates the subjects from a dark background, creating a clear contrast that highlights the folds of the robe and the delicate contours of the child's face.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1450, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its attribution to 2112_person is based on stylistic analysis and archival records linking the artist to similar devotional works of the mid‑15th century.

Context

During the mid‑1400s, representations of the Virgin and Child were common in both religious and secular art, serving as objects of private devotion. The work’s stark tonal range reflects contemporary experiments with light and shadow that prefigure later developments in Northern Renaissance painting.