Artwork
Mary as the Mother of Mercy
Mary as the Mother of Mercy is a paint painting by the Early Renaissance artist Filippo Lippi. It dates from 1460 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Mary as the Mother of Mercy, also known as Protective Mantle Madonna, is a fifteenth-century painting by Filippo Lippi, created circa 1460. This religious work exemplifies Lippi's contribution to the early Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary enveloping a multitude of figures beneath her extended mantle, conveying protection and mercy. The gathered individuals, shown in prayer, underscore the devotional theme.
Technique & Style
Executed predominantly in shades of gray and white with pronounced dark shadows, the work showcases Lippi's mastery of chiaroscuro. The composition's central figure and surrounding crowd reflect early Renaissance compositional principles.
History & Provenance
Filippo Lippi, a Carmelite priest and renowned painter, trained notable artists like Sandro Botticelli and his son Filippino Lippi. The painting is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
Context
Created during the early Renaissance, this piece aligns with the period's religious art themes, emphasizing Mary's maternal protection. Lippi's workshop influence extended through his pupils, impacting subsequent artistic generations.
Artist & collection
Artist
Filippo Lippi (c. 1406 – 8 October 1469), also known as Lippo Lippi, was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Quattrocento (fifteenth century) and a Carmelite priest. He was an early Renaissance master of a painting…
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