Artwork
Virgin and Child
Virgin and Child is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Benvenuto Tisi. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Benvenuto Tisi's painting, Virgin and Child, dates to approximately 1550. Executed in oil, this work portrays a traditional religious subject, depicting the Virgin Mary tenderly holding the Christ Child. The artwork is presently part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum.
Subject & Meaning
A dark green wall forms the backdrop, featuring a window that reveals a distant landscape of hills and trees.
The composition centers on a mother and child, with the woman gazing directly outward, engaging the viewer. She cradles the naked infant on her lap, her hands gently supporting his back and leg. The child, with curly hair, reaches towards her chest, while his gaze is directed downwards. This intimate portrayal emphasizes the human connection within the sacred narrative of Mary and Jesus. A dark green wall forms the backdrop, featuring a window that reveals a distant landscape of hills and trees.
Technique & Style
Tisi rendered Virgin and Child using oil paint, contributing to its rich texture and depth. The artist employed a somber color palette, which imbues the scene with a contemplative atmosphere. The woman is depicted in a red robe and yellow shawl, providing a focal point against the darker background elements. This choice of color and medium enhances the tender interaction between the figures, underscoring the painting's emotional resonance.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Benvenuto Tisi (Italian: ; 1481 – September 6, 1559), also known as Il Garofalo (Italian: ), was a Late-Renaissance-Mannerist Italian painter of the School of Ferrara.
