Who painted Maica Domnului cu pruncul Kazanskaia, Madona Neagră?

Maica Domnului cu pruncul Kazanskaia, Madona Neagră was painted by Unknown in 1850.

Where can I see Maica Domnului cu pruncul Kazanskaia, Madona Neagră?

Maica Domnului cu pruncul Kazanskaia, Madona Neagră is held by National Museum of Art of Romania.

Artwork

Maica Domnului cu pruncul Kazanskaia, Madona Neagră

Maica Domnului cu pruncul Kazanskaia, Madona Neagră is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania. The work is a painted wooden panel depicting a mother and child, framed by a dark, rounded border that encloses a gold background.

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted wooden panel depicting a mother and child, framed by a dark, rounded border that encloses a gold background.

The work is a painted wooden panel depicting a mother and child, framed by a dark, rounded border that encloses a gold background. The figures are rendered in muted, earthy hues; the woman's hair is dark, her skin a warm golden tone, and both wear simple robes. The child's hand rests on the woman's shoulder, creating an intimate gesture. The panel shows signs of age, with areas of paint loss and a weathered surface.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, a conventional Christian theme that emphasizes maternal care and divine incarnation. The close physical contact between the two figures underscores the protective and nurturing aspects of the mother, while the gold backdrop suggests a spiritual realm beyond the earthly setting.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera on wood, the painting employs a limited palette of ochres, browns, and gold. The border is decorated with a repetitive motif of stylized leaves or floral elements, applied in fine stippled strokes that create subtle texture. The overall style reflects a folk‑art aesthetic, with simplified forms and a focus on devotional clarity rather than naturalistic detail.

History & Provenance

The panel is identified as a "Madona Neagră" from the Kazanskaia tradition, indicating a regional origin in Eastern Europe, likely dating from the late medieval to early modern period. Its current location and ownership are not specified, and the surrounding inscription, though partially legible, has not been fully deciphered, leaving its precise historical trajectory uncertain.