Who painted Madonna and Child with Angels Carrying Candlesticks?

Madonna and Child with Angels Carrying Candlesticks was painted by Sandro Botticelli in 1494.

Where can I see Madonna and Child with Angels Carrying Candlesticks?

Madonna and Child with Angels Carrying Candlesticks is held by Bode Museum.

What movement is Madonna and Child with Angels Carrying Candlesticks?

Madonna and Child with Angels Carrying Candlesticks is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Madonna and Child with Angels Carrying Candlesticks

Sandro Botticelli , 1494

Madonna and Child with Angels Carrying Candlesticks is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. It dates from 1494 and is held in the collection of the Bode Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1494, this tempera panel by Sandro Botticelli presents a devotional image of the Virgin Mary seated with the infant Jesus. The composition is framed by six angels who hold tall candlesticks, forming a semi‑circular backdrop. The work is part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin and exemplifies the artist’s late‑career religious output.

Subject & Meaning

At the center, Mary is shown in a dark, flowing robe crowned with a circle of stars, a traditional symbol of her celestial role. The Christ Child reaches toward one of the candles, suggesting a gesture toward divine illumination. The surrounding angels, each with a wreath, look upward, reinforcing a sense of reverence toward a heavenly presence.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera, the painting displays Botticelli’s characteristic linear clarity and delicate modeling of faces. The figures are rendered with restrained color, the dark veil of the Virgin contrasting with the luminous candlesticks. Fine brushwork defines the angels’ wings and the intricate star crown, while the overall composition maintains a balanced, symmetrical arrangement.

History & Provenance

The panel was completed near the end of Botticelli’s life, a period marked by an increased focus on devotional subjects. After changing hands among private collectors, it entered the Gemäldegalerie Berlin’s holdings, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Renaissance collection.

Context

The work reflects the late 15th‑century Florentine interest in Marian iconography, integrating celestial motifs such as stars and angels to emphasize the Virgin’s role as intercessor. The inclusion of candlesticks aligns with contemporary liturgical symbolism, representing the light of Christ within a sacred setting.