Artwork
Maria with the child
Maria with the child is a paint painting by the High Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. The work portrays a mother and infant rendered in oil on canvas, with the figures illuminated against a dark backdrop.
About this work
Overview
The work portrays a mother and infant rendered in oil on canvas, with the figures illuminated against a dark backdrop. The woman's long, curly red hair and red garment contrast sharply with the surrounding gloom, while the child, unclothed, reaches toward a flower. The composition conveys a quiet, intimate moment, emphasizing calmness and gentle interaction between the two subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The central focus is a serene woman cradling her newborn, both gazing downward—the mother toward her child, the infant toward the blossom. The tender exchange suggests themes of maternal affection and the innocence of early life, underscored by the subdued expressions that evoke a sense of peaceful contemplation.
Technique & Style
Employing chiaroscuro, the painter creates pronounced volume and depth, allowing the illuminated figures to emerge from the somber surroundings. The careful modulation of light on the red dress and hair, together with the soft rendering of the baby's skin, highlights the tactile qualities of the subjects while reinforcing the overall tranquil atmosphere.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
