Artwork
Madonna and Child
Madonna and Child is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master with the Parrot. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, titled 'Madonna and Child', is a devotional work created around 1515. It is attributed to the Master with the Parrot, a collective name for Flemish artists active in Antwerp.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, with a still life of fruit and a flower on a table before them. The scene is set against a landscape with a distant village, symbolizing the connection between the sacred and the everyday.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, with light falling on the red cloak and highlighting its texture. The contrast between light and shadow adds volume to the figures, while the calm face of Mary and the curious expression of the Child convey a sense of intimacy.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, having been produced in a workshop that catered to the local bourgeoisie, blending Flemish and Italianate influences.
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Artist & collection
Artist
The Master with the Parrot or Master of the Parrot (fl. between 1520 and 1540) is the notname given to a group of Flemish painters who likely worked in a workshop in Antwerp in the first half of the 16th century. They…
