Who painted Madonna and Child?

Madonna and Child was painted by Pietro Perugino in 1500.

Where can I see Madonna and Child?

Madonna and Child is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

What movement is Madonna and Child?

Madonna and Child is associated with High Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Madonna and Child?

Museum-quality prints of Madonna and Child are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Madonna and Child

Pietro Perugino , 1500

Madonna and Child is a tempera painting by the High Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Created around 1500, this tempera panel presents the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1500, this tempera panel presents the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus. The figures occupy a modest interior space, set against a muted landscape of rolling hills and a distant cityscape. The composition balances intimacy with a subtle sense of depth, characteristic of late‑15th‑century Umbrian painting.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays the traditional Christian theme of Madonna and Child, emphasizing maternal tenderness and divine incarnation. Mary's serene gaze and the child's forward‑looking pose convey both humanity and sanctity, inviting contemplation of the bond between mother and son as a symbol of spiritual intercession.

Technique & Style

Executed in egg‑tempera, the painting displays the medium’s characteristic matte finish and fine brushwork. Perugino employs delicate modeling of flesh tones, giving the infant a marble‑like smoothness, while the gold‑trimmed garments and luminous halo around Mary's head reveal a restrained yet refined decorative approach typical of the High Renaissance.

History & Provenance

The panel is attributed to Pietro Perugino, a prominent figure of the Umbrian school who later mentored Raphael. After remaining in private collections for several centuries, the painting entered the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it is currently displayed as part of the museum’s Renaissance holdings.

Context

Perugino’s output during the turn of the 16th century reflects the transition from the gentle lyricism of early Renaissance art to the more structured compositions that would dominate the High Renaissance. His use of soft coloration and balanced spatial arrangement anticipates the style of his most famous pupil, Raphael, while retaining a distinct Umbrian sensibility.