Who painted The Virgin and Child?

The Virgin and Child was painted by Unknown in 1350.

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 1350 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around the mid‑fourteenth century, this panel depicts a mother and child in a devotional setting.

About this work

Overview

Created around the mid‑fourteenth century, this panel depicts a mother and child in a devotional setting. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and is attributed to the artist known as 3358_person. Its composition centers on a solemn woman holding a young boy, framed by a gilded architectural element and flanked by two diminutive figures in bright attire.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures represent the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus, a common theme in medieval religious art. Mary's expression is restrained, emphasizing her role as a spiritual intercessor, while the child rests his hand on her shoulder, suggesting intimacy and divine connection. The attendant figures on either side of the arch may symbolize angels or saints, reinforcing the sacred narrative.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a flat, unmodulated color palette with minimal shading, characteristic of the International Gothic aesthetic.

The painting employs a flat, unmodulated color palette with minimal shading, characteristic of the International Gothic aesthetic. Contrasting dark blues and reds against a gold background create a stark visual dichotomy, while the use of chiaroscuro—strong light‑dark contrasts—adds depth without modeling. The gold surface shows signs of age, and faint Latin inscriptions have become partially illegible over time.

History & Provenance

Dating to circa 1350, the panel has remained in the custody of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as part of the institution's medieval holdings. Its attribution to 3358_person derives from stylistic analysis and archival records linking the artist to similar devotional works of the period.