Artwork
The Virgin adoring the Infant Jesus
The Virgin adoring the Infant Jesus is a print by Jean Morin. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Jean Morin’s circa 1650 print on paper presents the Virgin Mary in a moment of devotion toward the infant Jesus. The composition, derived from a design by Titian, centers on the two figures against a deep, unlit backdrop, emphasizing their intimate interaction and the spiritual focus of the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures Mary holding the newborn Christ, her hands clasped in prayer while the child reaches toward her face. The tender gesture conveys reverence and maternal affection, reflecting the theological theme of the Virgin’s adoration of her son as both human and divine.
Technique & Style
Morin employs chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures. Illuminated faces and hands emerge from the surrounding darkness, giving the bodies a sculptural, three‑dimensional quality that enhances the sense of presence and solemnity.
History & Provenance
Created around 1650, the print translates Titian’s original composition into the medium of engraving. Morin, a French printmaker known for adapting Italian paintings, disseminated the work through multiple impressions, contributing to the spread of Titian’s religious imagery across Northern Europe.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Morin (c.1595 or 1605 – 1650) was a French baroque painter, printmaker, painter, etcher, engraver and publisher.
