Artwork
Madonna and Child with an Angel
Madonna and Child with an Angel is a paint painting by the Mannerist artist Paolo Morando. It dates from 1519 and is held in the collection of the Städel Museum. Created in 1519, this oil painting presents a tender encounter between a mother and her infant, accompanied by a youthful figure.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1519, this oil painting presents a tender encounter between a mother and her infant, accompanied by a youthful figure. The central woman, cloaked in red, cradles a naked child whose modesty is provided by a simple cloth. To her right, a girl adorned with a gold‑and‑white headdress gazes down at the infant, all set against a muted, darkened backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The composition reflects a traditional religious theme, portraying the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, a motif common in devotional art. The inclusion of the attendant girl, rendered as an angelic presence, reinforces the sacred atmosphere and underscores themes of divine protection and the intimate bond between mother and son.
Technique & Style
Executed in a mannerist idiom, the work employs pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing luminous figures against a shadowy background to model volume. The palette is restrained, dominated by deep reds, greens, and gold accents, while the soft modeling of flesh and the subtle handling of drapery reveal the artist’s study of light and form.
History & Provenance
The painting is attributed to Paolo Morando, known as il Cavazzola, a Veronese painter who trained under Domenico Morone and his son Francesco. Influenced by the Venetian master Giorgione, Morando’s style merged local traditions with broader Renaissance currents. The piece now belongs to the collection of the Städel Museum in Frankfurt.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paolo Morando (1486–1522), also known as il Cavazzola, was an Italian painter of the Renaissance, active mainly in his hometown of Verona.
