Artwork
Mary enthroned with the child and six saints
Mary enthroned with the child and six saints is a paint painting by the Early Renaissance artist Alvise Vivarini. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Mary Enthroned with the Child and Six Saints is a late 15th-century painting by Alvise Vivarini, a prominent Venetian artist of the early Renaissance. Created in 1496, the work features the Virgin Mary seated on a throne with the Christ Child, surrounded by six saints. It is part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a traditional Christian scene: Mary holding the Christ Child, accompanied by six attending saints. Mary wears a dark robe, a common attribute in religious art, while the Christ Child looks downward. The saints are differentiated by their attire, including robes, armor, and near-nudity, suggesting varied identities and roles.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Vivarini's Venetian Renaissance style, characterized by a detailed and ornate background resembling a church interior with an arched ceiling and intricately carved frames. The composition arranges the saints in a linear fashion around Mary, emphasizing harmony and balance.
History & Provenance
Commissioned or created in 1496, the painting's early history is not detailed here, but it is currently housed at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, indicating its eventual acquisition by this prominent museum.
Context
This painting reflects the religious themes prevalent in early Renaissance art, particularly in Venice. The depiction of Mary and the Christ Child with saints aligns with common religious iconography of the time, catering to the devotional needs of the commissioning patron or the broader Christian community.
Legacy
As a work by Alvise Vivarini, *Mary Enthroned with the Child and Six Saints* contributes to the understanding of Venetian painting's evolution in the late 15th century. Its presence in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin makes it accessible for study and appreciation of early Renaissance religious art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alvise or Luigi Vivarini (1442/1453–1503/1505) was an Italian painter, the leading Venetian artist before Giovanni Bellini.
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