Artwork
Madonna and Child
Madonna and Child is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Borghese Collection.
About this work
Overview
Pietro Perugino’s oil painting titled *Madonna and Child*, created in 1515, presents a devotional image of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Christ. Executed in the High Renaissance idiom, the work is part of the collection of the Galleria Borghese and exemplifies the Umbrian school’s graceful approach to religious subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows Mary in a red dress, a green shawl draped over her left shoulder, and a dark blue cloak, her gaze meeting the viewer while a halo signals her sanctity. The naked Christ child rests against her, his right hand touching her chest, embodying the intimate bond between mother and divine son.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil on panel, Perugino employs a balanced arrangement and soft modeling to achieve a serene atmosphere. The background features a tranquil landscape of rolling hills and trees, rendered with delicate atmospheric perspective that recedes gently behind the figures.
History & Provenance
Painted during the later phase of Perugino’s career, the work reflects the mature style of the artist who taught Raphael. It entered the Galleria Borghese collection, where it remains on display, providing insight into the transmission of Umbrian aesthetics into the broader High Renaissance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pietro Perugino (US: PERR-ə-JEE-noh, -oo-; Italian: ; born Pietro Vannucci or Pietro Vanucci; c.
