Artwork

Virgin Mary

Virgin Mary, by Unknown, unspecified, 1557
Virgin Mary, by Unknown, unspecified, 1557

Virgin Mary is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1557 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

This painting depicts the Virgin Mary in a half-figure representation, gazing to the left with hands folded in prayer, characterized by a serene facial expression. It constitutes the right half of a diptych, with the left half (SK-A-1483) being its pendant.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is the Virgin Mary, portrayed in contemplative prayer. As a religious image, it would have served a devotional purpose, likely intended for private veneration in a domestic setting.

Technique & Style

The artist employed soft, modeling shadows to create a three-dimensional effect, particularly evident in the rendering of the face and hands. The style aligns with late 16th-century European practices.

History & Provenance

The painter remains anonymous. The work's provenance is not detailed here, though its pairing (SK-A-1483) is acknowledged, suggesting a known, if incomplete, historical context.

Context

Created in a period where religious imagery was commonplace in European homes during the late 1500s, this painting reflects the era's domestic devotional practices.

Legacy

Now part of a public collection, it is accessible for study and viewing, with the Rijksmuseum suggested as a location to explore similar works.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.