Artwork
Virgin and Child with an Angel
Virgin and Child with an Angel is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
This tempera painting, dated to 1490, is a work by Sandro Botticelli, now part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. It portrays a serene, intimate scene of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child and an accompanying angel.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary, dressed in a blue robe with a visible red lining, tenderly holding the barefoot Christ Child, who grasps her shoulder. An angel, clad in white and gold, observes from the left, contributing to the devotional and peaceful atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the painting showcases the medium's characteristic smooth, luminous quality, achieved through the use of egg yolk in the paint. This technique enhances the soft, gentle glow, particularly evident in the half-lit face of the angel.
History & Provenance
Created in 1490 by Sandro Botticelli, the work is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, though specific details of its ownership history prior to its acquisition by the museum are not provided here.
Context
The background of the painting features a distant, hilly landscape visible through a window, contrasting the immediate, intimate foreground scene. This compositional choice may symbolize the connection between the sacred figures and the broader, natural world.
Legacy
While specific influences or direct artistic legacies of this work are not detailed here, as a Botticelli piece, it contributes to the broader understanding and appreciation of Early Renaissance art, particularly in the depiction of religious themes with harmony and elegance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sandro Botticelli was a Florentine painter who loved the drama of stories—myths, saints, and ancient tales.
