Artwork
The Virgin and Child
The Virgin and Child is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Master of Città di Castello. It dates from 1312 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1312, the panel titled *Virgin and Child* is attributed to the anonymous Master of Città di Castello. It presents the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus and is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on Mary, clothed in a dark outer robe with a visible red lining at the neckline and sleeves, holding the Christ Child swaddled in a brown cloth. A golden halo crowns Mary's head, underscoring her sanctity, while two diminutive angels appear in the upper corners, reinforcing the devotional theme.
Technique & Style
Executed in the early Renaissance idiom, the work emphasizes naturalistic detail and three‑dimensional modeling. Gold leaf applied to the background creates a luminous surface that conveys both material richness and a spiritual aura, aligning the piece with contemporary approaches to sacred imagery.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in the public domain since its acquisition by the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is displayed among other medieval and early Renaissance works. Its attribution to the Master of Città di Castello reflects stylistic analysis linking it to the artist’s known oeuvre.
Artist & collection
