Artwork
Madonna and Child
Madonna and Child is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum. Created circa 1520, this oil on panel presents a Virgin Mary cradling the infant Christ.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1520, this oil on panel presents a Virgin Mary cradling the infant Christ. The composition reflects the High Renaissance aesthetic, with a calm landscape of gentle hills and trees forming the backdrop. The work is part of the Walters Art Museum’s collection and exemplifies the religious genre of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures are the Virgin and Child, a traditional devotional theme. Mary is shown in a red dress beneath a blue mantle, her gaze tenderly directed toward the infant, whose modest gesture—raised left hand and right hand resting on her arm—conveys intimacy and reverence.
Technique & Style
Perugino’s handling of oil paint yields smooth, luminous surfaces and a balanced arrangement of forms. The figures are rendered with serene expressions and delicate modeling, while the landscape recedes softly, creating a harmonious spatial unity typical of the Umbrian school.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Pietro Perugino, a leading Umbrian painter, the piece entered the Walters Art Museum’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century. Its provenance traces back to private collections in Italy before crossing the Atlantic.
Context
Perugino’s workshop was a hub for emerging talent; among his students was Raphael, who later achieved fame across Europe. The painting’s compositional calm and refined figures reflect the broader High Renaissance shift toward idealized beauty and measured harmony.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pietro Perugino (US: PERR-ə-JEE-noh, -oo-; Italian: ; born Pietro Vannucci or Pietro Vanucci; c.
