Artwork
Virgin and Child
Virgin and Child is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jan Gossaert. It dates from 1525 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Virgin and Child is a 1525 oil painting by Jan Gossaert, a painter from the Low Countries. It is held in the Art Institute of Chicago.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Mary holding the Christ Child on her lap. The child reaches up toward her face. Both figures have soft, rounded features and are set against a cloudy sky background with faint golden lines, evoking a sense of divine presence.
Technique & Style
Gossaert's use of chiaroscuro creates a glowing effect around the figures' heads, drawing attention to them. The soft, rounded features and the cloudy sky background contribute to a serene atmosphere. The painting blends Italian Renaissance elements with Northern traditions, characteristic of the Romanism style.
History & Provenance
Gossaert traveled to Italy and Rome in 1508–09, influencing his style. He was among the first Northern painters to do so and later led the Romanism style. The painting is now part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Gossaert (c. 1478 – 1 October 1532) was a French-speaking painter from the Low Countries also known as Jan Mabuse (the name he adopted from his birthplace, Maubeuge) or Jennyn van Hennegouwe (Hainaut), as he called…
