Artwork
Virgin and Child with an Angel
Virgin and Child with an Angel is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Francesco del Cossa. It dates from 1460 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Virgin and Child with an Angel is a tempera painting created by Francesco del Cossa around 1460. It is a representative work of the early Renaissance period and is currently held in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, accompanied by an angel. The figures are set against a backdrop of green foliage and red flowers, and are distinguished by their golden halos. The scene is a traditional representation of a religious theme.
Technique & Style
The painting is characterized by the use of flat, bright colors and a lack of shading to convey depth. The figures are depicted in a straightforward manner, with an emphasis on their symbolic significance rather than naturalistic representation. The artist's use of tempera, a medium made from pigment and egg, contributes to the painting's distinctive appearance.
History & Provenance
Francesco del Cossa, associated with the School of Ferrara, created this work early in his career. He later went on to work in Bologna after 1470, where he continued to produce frescoes and religious paintings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Born in Ferrara around 1436, Francesco del Cossa trained under his father Cristofano, a stonemason who also painted.
