Artwork
Maria mit Kind
Maria mit Kind is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Daniel Fröschl. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1600, this small religious panel by Austrian painter Daniel Fröschl shows the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus. The work is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and exemplifies early Baroque devotional imagery intended for private contemplation.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents Mary in a white gown beneath a red and blue mantle, her head crowned with a pearl band and a necklace centered by a large red gem. She holds the child gently, his head resting in her right hand while her left hand guides his right hand to her breast, a gesture that underscores maternal intimacy and the theological bond between mother and son.
Technique & Style
Fröschl employs a smooth, luminous palette, rendering the figures with fair skin tones and light hair that catch the soft light. The background consists of a clear blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds, creating a serene atmosphere. The careful modeling of fabric folds and the delicate handling of the child's veil reveal a restrained yet expressive Baroque sensibility.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings in the 19th century, where it has remained on public display. Its provenance prior to acquisition is not fully documented, but the work likely served as a private devotional object in a Catholic household before becoming part of the museum’s collection.
Context
Fröschl worked in the Habsburg lands during a period when Counter‑Reformation art emphasized clear, emotionally resonant images of the Holy Family. The use of vivid red and blue in Mary’s cloak reflects contemporary iconographic conventions, while the tranquil sky background aligns with the era’s preference for calm, heavenly settings that invite contemplation.
Artist & collection
