Artwork
Virgin Adoring the Sleeping Christ Child
Virgin Adoring the Sleeping Christ Child is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Lavinia Fontana. It dates from 1607 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Virgin Adoring the Sleeping Christ Child is a 1607 oil painting by Lavinia Fontana, a pioneering female artist in Western Europe. The work exemplifies early Baroque Italian style.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary gently cradling the sleeping Christ Child on a bed, conveying a serene and intimate moment. The scene is a devotional representation, characteristic of Fontana's religious works.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, using deep shadows and soft light to create a quiet atmosphere. The folds of the figures' clothing and their gentle curves are rendered with attention to detail, showcasing Fontana's skill in capturing texture and form.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lavinia Fontana (24 August 1552 – 11 August 1614) was an Italian Mannerist painter active in Bologna and Rome.
The Virgin and Child
The Virgin and Child
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The Infant Christ blessing the Virgin
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Virgin and Child with Angels
Maria mit Kind (Pommersfeldener Madonna)
Virgin and Child with Angels
Maria mit Kind
The Virgin and the Sleeping Child