Artwork
The Virgin and Sleeping Child
The Virgin and Sleeping Child is an ink print by the Baroque artist Giovanni Bottani. It dates from 1701 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Virgin and Sleeping Child is a 1701 print by Giovanni Bottani, executed in etching with engraving on laid paper. It depicts a serene, intimate scene of a woman, identified as the Virgin Mary, gently cradling a sleeping infant.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is the Virgin Mary with the sleeping Christ Child. The composition conveys a tender, protective moment between them, emphasizing maternal care and the sacred nature of the child.
Technique & Style
Bottani employed chiaroscuro to create depth and volume, guiding the viewer's focus to the central, affectionate gesture. The subtle, gradient background enhances the figures' prominence.
History & Provenance
Created in 1701, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
This work reflects Baroque artistic tendencies, characterized by dramatic lighting and emotional intensity, though here applied to a quiet, devotional scene.
Artist & collection
