Artwork

Virgin and Child on the Throne with Six Angels

Virgin and Child on the Throne with Six Angels, by Lorenzo Monaco, tempera, 1415
Virgin and Child on the Throne with Six Angels, by Lorenzo Monaco, tempera, 1415

Virgin and Child on the Throne with Six Angels is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Lorenzo Monaco. It dates from 1415 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

About this work

Overview

Virgin and Child on the Throne with Six Angels is a tempera painting created by Lorenzo Monaco in 1415, now part of the collection at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the Virgin Mary, identifiable by her black robe with gold trim and halo, holding the infant Jesus, who wears a pink robe and also has a halo. The child grasps an unidentified small object. They are encircled by six angels, all in pink with gold halos, emphasizing a heavenly, sacred scene.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera, the work leverages this medium's capabilities to achieve depth and texture. The warm, golden background, adorned with subtle patterns, complements the figures, contributing to the overall devotional ambiance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1415 by Lorenzo Monaco, the painting's history prior to its current residence at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is not detailed here.

Context

This painting reflects the religious art conventions of its time, with the use of gold halos and robes signifying sanctity. The composition, with the Virgin and Child centrally enthroned and surrounded by angels, aligns with traditional representations of divine hierarchy.

Legacy

As a work by Lorenzo Monaco, it contributes to the understanding of early 15th-century religious art, though its specific impact or influence on later art movements is not highlighted in available information.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Lorenzo Monaco

Artist

Lorenzo Monaco

Lorenzo Monaco was a Sienese painter and miniaturist of the late Gothic to early Renaissance age, active principally in Florence.