Who painted Madonna and Child in a Glory?

Madonna and Child in a Glory was painted by German 15th Century in 1475.

Where can I see Madonna and Child in a Glory?

Madonna and Child in a Glory is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Madonna and Child in a Glory?

Madonna and Child in a Glory is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Madonna and Child in a Glory

German 15th Century , 1475

Madonna and Child in a Glory is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a woodcut print depicting a seated woman cradling an infant, both surrounded by a radiant sunburst.

About this work

Overview

The work is a woodcut print depicting a seated woman cradling an infant, both surrounded by a radiant sunburst. The figure wears a red robe edged in gold, a blue undergarment, and a golden halo crowned with a small diadem; the child is cloaked in dark fabric. The composition is framed by a luminous golden aureole that emphasizes the sacred nature of the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The image represents the Madonna and Child, a common devotional motif in Christian art. The halo and crown signal the Virgin’s sanctity and royal status, while the tender interaction between mother and child underscores themes of divine love and maternal care.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the design relies on bold, clean lines cut into a wooden block, then printed in brown ink. Hand‑coloring adds red lake, blue, yellow, green, gold, and orange pigments, with additional pen‑and‑ink retouching to enhance details. The overall effect is vivid yet shows signs of age, typical of early printmaking where color was applied after printing.

Context

Woodcut prints of religious subjects were widely circulated in the late medieval and early Renaissance periods, serving both devotional and instructional purposes. The use of bright, layered colors and a simplified graphic style reflects the medium’s constraints while aiming to convey the spiritual significance of the Madonna and Child to a broad audience.