Artwork

Madonna and Child

Madonna and Child, by Jacopo da Empoli, 1600
Madonna and Child, by Jacopo da Empoli, 1600

Madonna and Child is a drawing by the Renaissance artist Jacopo da Empoli. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Madonna and Child is a drawing created by Jacopo Chimenti (Jacopo da Empoli) circa 1600, exemplifying the artistic output of a Florentine painter aligned with the Reformist movement during the late Renaissance.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the Christ Child, a ubiquitous theme in contemporary religious art, conveying spiritual intimacy through the interaction between the two figures.

Technique & Style

Executed in quick, sketchy lines with selective shading, the work employs chiaroscuro to contrast the shadowed face of the Virgin with the illuminated hands and the Christ Child’s features, guiding the viewer’s focus towards their emotional connection.

History & Provenance

The artwork is currently part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, though specific details of its creation context or earlier ownership are not provided in available information.

Context

Created during the late Renaissance, this piece reflects the Reformist movement’s artistic values, emphasizing simplicity and emotional depth in religious subjects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacopo da Empoli

Artist

Jacopo da Empoli

Jacopo da Empoli, also known as Jacopo Chimenti, was an Italian Florentine Reformist painter.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.