Artwork
Caritas with three children
Caritas with three children is a paint painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Ambrosius Benson. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Caritas with three children is a tempera painting created by Ambrosius Benson around 1520. It is a representation of the virtue Caritas, or Charity, and is now held in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene woman, likely personifying Caritas, surrounded by three children in a natural setting. The woman is dressed in dark attire and is barefoot, while the toddlers are naked, emphasizing a sense of simplicity and innocence.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the work showcases Benson's skill in adapting classical themes to contemporary settings, reflecting both the religious focus of the Northern Renaissance and broader European artistic influences.
History & Provenance
Ambrosius Benson, an Italian-born painter active during the Northern Renaissance, is believed to have primarily produced religious works. The current location of Caritas with three children is the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ambrosius Benson (c. 1495/1500 – 1550) was an Italian painter who became a part of the Northern Renaissance. While many surviving paintings have been attributed, there is very little known of him from records, and he…
