Artwork
Madonna and Child, with the Blessing Christ [middle panel]
![Madonna and Child, with the Blessing Christ [middle panel], by Martino di Bartolomeo, tempera, 1418](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/martino-di-bartolomeo--madonna-and-child-with-the-blessing-christ-middle-panel--9e7ebbf6d3ba8295-w1024.webp)
Madonna and Child, with the Blessing Christ [middle panel] is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Martino di Bartolomeo. It dates from 1418 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The composition is framed within a pointed arch, emphasizing the sacred nature of the scene through its traditional iconography and luminous gold background.
Martino di Bartolomeo's painting, Madonna and Child, with the Blessing Christ, created around 1418, is a religious panel executed in tempera. This central panel portrays the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus on her lap. Above them, a smaller, haloed figure extends a hand in benediction. The composition is framed within a pointed arch, emphasizing the sacred nature of the scene through its traditional iconography and luminous gold background.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork centers on the Virgin Mary, depicted in a dark blue robe, holding the Christ Child dressed in pink. The infant grasps a red cloth, while Mary's expression conveys serenity. Above this central pair, a smaller, haloed representation of Christ offers a gesture of blessing. The figures are set against an intricately patterned gold background, which features swirling motifs, all contained within the architectural form of a pointed arch, typical of devotional art of the period.
Technique & Style
This painting was created using tempera on a wooden panel, a common technique during the early 15th century. Tempera involves mixing ground pigments with an egg yolk binder, resulting in a durable, luminous finish. The artist skillfully employed gold leaf for the background, which, with its swirling patterns, creates a striking contrast against the deep hues of the figures' robes. This interplay of light and dark enhances the visual prominence of the sacred subjects.
Artist & collection
Saint Julian the Hospitaler (with Saint Nicholas of Bari)![Saint Peter, with Saint James Major [left panel], by Martino di Bartolomeo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/martino-di-bartolomeo--saint-peter-with-saint-james-major-left-panel--20178831b0b297bc-w320.webp)
Saint Peter, with Saint James Major [left panel]![Deacon Saint, with Saint Anthony Abbot [right panel], by Martino di Bartolomeo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/martino-di-bartolomeo--deacon-saint-with-saint-anthony-abbot-right-panel--2a458c4f3eacee3b-w320.webp)
Deacon Saint, with Saint Anthony Abbot [right panel]![Madonna and Child with the Blessing Christ, and Saints Peter, James Major, Anthony Abbott, and a Deacon Saint [entire triptych], by Martino di Bartolomeo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/martino-di-bartolomeo--madonna-and-child-with-the-blessing-christ-and-saints-peter--2c53e26d577a363b-w320.webp)
Madonna and Child with the Blessing Christ, and Saints Peter, James Major, Anthony Abbott, and a Deacon Saint [entire triptych]
Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist)
Saint James the Greater (with the Virgin of the Annunciation)
![Madonna and Child, with the Blessing Christ [middle panel], by Pietro Lorenzetti](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/pietro-lorenzetti--madonna-and-child-with-the-blessing-christ-middle-panel--02357aa6ff04175b-w320.webp)