Artwork
Virgin and Child
Virgin and Child is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Giovanni Battista Cima da Conegliano. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Virgin and Child is a small-scale oil painting created by Giovanni Battista Cima da Conegliano around 1500, exemplifying the Venetian school's style. It is a devotional image, likely intended for private contemplation.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a serene and intimate moment between the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, conveying warmth through their gentle expressions and interaction.
Technique & Style
Cima employed chiaroscuro to create strong light and dark contrasts, enhancing emotional depth. Soft lighting on the subjects' faces and skin adds volume and texture, characteristic of his atmospheric approach.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1500, specific ownership history prior to its current location is not detailed here.
Context
Part of a tradition of private devotional art, this work reflects the Venetian school's emphasis on serene religious themes often set against natural backgrounds.
Legacy
While not individually renowned, it contributes to Cima's reputation for peaceful, emotionally resonant religious paintings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Battista Cima da Conegliano
Giovanni Battista Cima, also called Cima da Conegliano (c. 1459 – c. 1517), was an Italian Renaissance painter, who mostly worked in Venice. He can be considered part of the Venetian school, though he was also…
