Artwork
A Virgem Maria com o Menino Jesus
A Virgem Maria com o Menino Jesus is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jan van Scorel. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Ancient Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1526 by the Dutch painter Jan van Scorel, this religious work portrays the Virgin Mary seated with the infant Jesus. Executed in oil on panel, the composition is held in the collection of the National Museum of Ancient Art. The scene is set outdoors, where the figures are bathed in a gentle light that emphasizes their calm interaction.
Subject & Meaning
Mary is shown in a richly colored robe of red and green, cradling a naked child who wears only a yellow cloth around his waist. The infant holds a small glass sphere, a traditional symbol of the world and divine wisdom. The tranquil pose and intimate gesture suggest a moment of contemplation on the incarnation and the protective role of the mother.
Technique & Style
Van Scorel employs a balanced use of light and shadow, reminiscent of chiaroscuro, to model the forms and give depth to the landscape. The background features a rocky outcrop, scattered trees, and a clear blue sky, rendered with a softened atmospheric perspective that enhances the sense of space while keeping the focus on the central figures.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the National Museum of Ancient Art’s holdings after a series of private collections, though the exact acquisition path remains undocumented. Its attribution to van Scorel is supported by stylistic analysis linking it to his early 1520s output, a period when he integrated Italian Renaissance influences into his Northern European practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van Scorel was a Dutch painter, who played a leading role in introducing aspects of Italian Renaissance painting into Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painting.
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