Artwork
The Coronation of the Virgin
The Coronation of the Virgin is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Vicente Masip. It dates from 1521 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1521 by the Spanish painter Vicente Masip, this oil on canvas portrays the coronation of the Virgin Mary. Executed during the early sixteenth century, the work belongs to the Mannerist phase of the Renaissance and is now part of the Museo del Prado’s collection in Madrid.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the Virgin seated on an elevated throne, receiving a crown amid a gathering of saints and angels. Figures hold objects such as books, a glove, and a pen, emphasizing scholarly and liturgical themes, while the surrounding clouds and golden light convey a celestial atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Masip employs bright, saturated hues and a crowded arrangement typical of Mannerist visual complexity. The figures appear to float within a luminous sky, their forms illuminated by a soft, golden glow that enhances the sense of divine presence. Details are rendered with careful attention, from the delicate scroll in the Virgin’s hand to the intricate halos.
History & Provenance
Born in Andilla in 1475, Masip was active until his death in 1545 and absorbed Quattrocento influences through artists such as Paolo de San Leocadio and Rodrigo de Osona. Among his commissions were the altarpiece of Porta‑Coeli and the high altar of Segorbe Cathedral. The painting entered the Prado’s holdings in the twentieth century, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vicente Masip (also Maçip) (1475 in Andilla – 1545 in Valencia) was a Spanish painter of the Renaissance period.
