Artwork
Virgin Mary

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



















