Artwork
Diptych: ''Virgin and Child'' and ''Portrait of Willem van Bibaut''
Diptych: ''Virgin and Child'' and ''Portrait of Willem van Bibaut'' is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Master of the portrait of Willem van Bibaut. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This oil painting, known as the Bibaut Diptych, dates to approximately 1523.
About this work
This painting is a diptych with two panels.
It was made around 1523 by the Master of the portrait of Willem van Bibaut.
The painting is now in a private collection, but it was on loan to the Rijksmuseum in 2016, which is a museum that holds many oil paintings from this time period, including works by the Master of the portrait of Willem van Bibaut, an artist you can learn more about next.
Overview
This oil painting, known as the Bibaut Diptych, dates to approximately 1523. It comprises two panels, presenting a devotional image of the Virgin and Child alongside a portrait of the monk Guilielmus Bibaucus. The work exemplifies a common format for private prayer and contemplation during the early 16th century, combining sacred imagery with a donor's likeness.
Subject & Meaning
The left panel depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, a traditional subject for personal devotion. On the right, Guilielmus Bibaucus, a monk born in 1484, is shown in prayer, his hands clasped. This arrangement allowed the viewer, represented by Bibaucus, to engage directly with the sacred figures, fostering a personal connection and facilitating meditation.
History & Provenance
While the diptych was originally conceived and likely commissioned by Guilielmus Bibaucus himself, its subsequent history is largely private. The artwork currently resides in a private collection. However, it was made accessible to the public through a long-term loan to the Rijksmuseum in 2016, where it was displayed among other works from the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the portrait of Willem van Bibaut
Master of the portrait of Willem van Bibaut (1484–1537) was an artist.
