Artwork
Virgin and Child with Saint Anne
Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altarpiece. It dates from 1498 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is an oil painting created in 1498 by the Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altarpiece, a prominent Early Netherlandish artist active in Cologne.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts three women indoors, identified as the Virgin, Saint Anne, and the Christ child, in a scene that conveys a sense of intimacy and devotion. The figures are engaged in quiet contemplation, with the Virgin reading from a book while holding the child.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of oil paint allows for subtle gradations of light and shadow on the figures' faces, creating a sense of depth and volume. The work showcases the artist's distinctive style, characterized by individualized forms and a blend of Gothic and Renaissance influences.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Alte Pinakothek, a testament to its significance in the Northern Renaissance art movement. The artist, active between 1475/1480 and 1510, was one of the last Gothic painters working in Cologne.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altarpiece
The Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altarpiece (sometimes called the Master of the Saint Bartholomew Altar) was an Early Netherlandish painter active in Germany, mostly Cologne, between 1475/1480 and 1510.
