Artwork
Mary with Child and Goldfinch 1523
Mary with Child and Goldfinch 1523 is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jörg Breu the Elder. It dates from 1523 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
A woman in a dark dress sits on a blue cushion, holding a naked baby who reaches out toward a small red bird on a string.
A woman in a dark dress sits on a blue cushion, holding a naked baby who reaches out toward a small red bird on a string. Behind them, a green landscape stretches out with trees, buildings, and a distant castle. The woman wears a flower crown and holds a potted plant with white and red flowers.
The bird on the string is a goldfinch, a bird often linked to faith in old paintings. The year "1523" is written in the corner, hinting this was made long ago.
Look up Jörg Breu the Elder to see how his style shaped this quiet, detailed scene.
Overview
The painting 'Mary with Child and Goldfinch' was created by Jörg Breu the Elder in 1523. It is a work characteristic of the Danube school, a style associated with the region around the Danube River in southern Germany and Austria.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts the Virgin Mary seated on a cushion, holding the Christ Child, who reaches for a goldfinch on a string. The goldfinch is a symbol often linked to faith in traditional Christian art, adding a layer of religious meaning to the intimate family scene.
Technique & Style
The painting features a detailed and serene depiction of its subjects against a backdrop of a lush green landscape with trees, buildings, and a distant castle. The artist's use of color and composition reflects the influence of his travels to Italy and his association with the early Baroque style.
History & Provenance
Jörg Breu the Elder, born around 1475, was a painter from Augsburg who traveled to Austria and Italy, influencing his work. He returned to Augsburg in 1502 and continued to produce significant works, including altarpieces, until his death. The painting is dated 1523, as indicated in the corner.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jörg Breu the Elder (c. 1475–1537), of Augsburg, was a painter of the German Danube school. He was the son of a weaver. He journeyed to Austria and created several multi-panel altarpieces there in 1500–02, such as the…
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