Artwork
Madonna and Child
Madonna and Child is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, created around 1500, is a representation of the Madonna and Child by Giovanni Bellini, a prominent Venetian painter of the Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a tender moment between the Madonna and the Christ Child, conveying a sense of quiet intimacy and devotion. The Christ Child sits on the Madonna's lap, looking directly at the viewer, while she supports him with her right hand.
Technique & Style
Bellini's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of volume and depth, drawing attention to the figures in the foreground. The contrast between light and dark, combined with softer modeling and luminous color, characterizes the work.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Walters Art Museum. It is an example of Bellini's mature style, developed during a period when he was transforming Venetian painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Bellini spent his life in Venice, where the city’s soft light and water shaped his view of the world.
