Artwork
Maria mit Kind
Maria mit Kind is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Hans Schöpfer. It dates from 1532 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1532 by the German painter Hans Schöpfer, this small religious work portrays the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus. Executed in oil on panel, the composition is modest in scale and now belongs to the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents Mary in a serene pose, her gaze directed inward as she gently supports the swaddled child. The tender interaction emphasizes the human aspect of the divine pair, inviting contemplation of maternal devotion and the incarnation.
Technique & Style
Schöpfer renders the figures with a restrained palette; Mary wears a dark cloak over a plain dress, while the infant is wrapped in simple cloth. Soft, diffused clouds form the background, illuminated by a subtle halo of light that lends the scene a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in Bavarian collections since the 16th century, entering the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings as part of the museum’s early acquisitions of Northern Renaissance religious art. Its provenance reflects the continued appreciation of devotional images in private and public settings.
Artist & collection
