Artwork
Virgin and Child
Virgin and Child is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1646 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Virgin and Child is a 1646 oil painting by Jusepe de Ribera, a Spanish artist working in Naples. It is a representation of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, characteristic of the early Italian Baroque period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Mary holding the Christ Child, both figures rendered with a focus on their emotional expressions. Mary's calm demeanor contrasts with the child's curiosity, conveying a sense of gentle interaction.
Technique & Style
Ribera employed chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of depth and volume. Dark shadows against a muted background emphasize the figures, while subtle modeling of their forms adds to the overall sense of realism.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, part of its collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian: ; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.
