Artwork

Madonna and Child Enthroned

Madonna and Child Enthroned, by Francesco Botticini, tempera, 1498
Madonna and Child Enthroned, by Francesco Botticini, tempera, 1498

Madonna and Child Enthroned is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Francesco Botticini. It dates from 1498 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.

About this work

Overview

Madonna and Child Enthroned is a tempera painting created in 1498 by Francesco Botticini, an Early Renaissance artist based in Florence. The work features a seated Madonna holding the Christ Child on her lap, accompanied by four figures standing in attendance.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a traditional religious scene of the Madonna and Child, with the addition of four attendant figures: two robed individuals, an angel (identified by wings and a red cloak), and a small child. The composition conveys serenity, with the Madonna's calm expression and the Christ Child's gesture of waving one hand while holding an object (likely symbolic).

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera, the painting showcases the characteristic depth and luminosity of this medium. The color palette is predominantly composed of dark reds, blues, and greens, accented with gold detailing on the throne, reflecting early Renaissance stylistic developments in 15th-century Italian art.

History & Provenance

Completed in the year of Botticini's death (1498), the painting is now part of the collection at the Scottish National Gallery.

Context

The work embodies the religious and artistic trends of the Early Renaissance in Florence, with its traditional composition and stylistic elements aligning with the period's artistic advancements.

Legacy

As a representative piece of early Renaissance art, *Madonna and Child Enthroned* contributes to the understanding of 15th-century Italian artistic evolution, though its specific influence or renown within Botticini's oeuvre and the broader art historical canon is not distinctly highlighted by available information.

Artist & collection

Artist

Francesco Botticini

Francesco Botticini (real name Francesco di Giovanni, 1446 – 16 January 1498) was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance.