Who painted Madonna and Child in a Glory with an Indulgence and a Prayer?

Madonna and Child in a Glory with an Indulgence and a Prayer was painted by German 15th Century in 1475.

Where can I see Madonna and Child in a Glory with an Indulgence and a Prayer?

Madonna and Child in a Glory with an Indulgence and a Prayer is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Madonna and Child in a Glory with an Indulgence and a Prayer?

Madonna and Child in a Glory with an Indulgence and a Prayer is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Madonna and Child in a Glory with an Indulgence and a Prayer

German 15th Century , 1475

Madonna and Child in a Glory with an Indulgence and a Prayer 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 Madonna clad in a red garment, cradling the infant Christ.

About this work

Overview

The work is a woodcut print depicting a seated Madonna clad in a red garment, cradling the infant Christ. Both figures stand upon a modest expanse of green ground, the Virgin’s head crowned with a radiant golden halo. To the right of the image, a block of angular black lettering presents a brief invocation followed by a longer prayer, integrating text and image in a single composition.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif of mother and child reflects a conventional devotional theme, emphasizing the sanctity of the Virgin and the incarnation of Christ. The halo and emanating rays underscore the divine nature of the figures, while the accompanying prayer invites the viewer’s participation in intercessory devotion, linking visual reverence with spoken or mental petition.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the design was incised into a wooden block and printed in brown ink. After printing, the artist applied hand‑coloring to the Madonna’s robe using red lake, and added touches of yellow and green to the background and foliage. This combination of monochrome carving and selective pigment creates a contrast between the graphic line work and the vivid, localized coloration.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to a tradition of devotional woodcuts produced for private contemplation and the distribution of indulgences. While the specific printer and date are not recorded, such works circulated widely in the late medieval and early modern periods, often accompanying printed prayers that promised spiritual benefits to the purchaser.