Artwork
Madona cu Isus
Madona cu Isus is a print by Gheorghe Tattarescu. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Bucharest Municipality Museum.
About this work
Overview
Madona cu Isus, created by Romanian neoclassical painter Gheorghe Tattarescu around 1867, is a religious painting depicting the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus, characterized by neoclassical clarity and formality.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays the Virgin Mary, dressed in a red cloak and green hood, serenely holding the infant Jesus, who wears a yellow cloth and grasps a tiny cross. The scene conveys a moment of serene devotion, typical of Christian iconography.
Technique & Style
Tattarescu employs neoclassical ideals, evident in the composition's clarity and formality. The use of chiaroscuro creates depth, as seen in the softly lit skin of the child and the rich, deep red of Mary's cloak, set against a plain background with subtle, suggestive facial forms on either side.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 19th century by a pivotal figure in Romanian modern art, Madona cu Isus is now part of the Museum of Ethnography's collection.
Context
This work reflects Tattarescu's blend of classical European influences with Romanian artistic traditions, contributing to the introduction of neoclassicism in the country.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gheorghe Tattarescu (Romanian pronunciation: ; October 1818 – October 24, 1894) was a Romanian painter and a pioneer of neoclassicism in his country's modern painting.
