Artwork
Mary as Mater Dei
Mary as Mater Dei is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Anthony van Dyck. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Mary as Mater Dei is a 1620 oil painting by Sir Anthony van Dyck, a prominent Flemish Baroque artist.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary, shown with clasped hands and a serene expression, wearing a dark blue hooded cloak over a white undergarment. The work is a representation of Mary in a contemplative state.
Technique & Style
The artist employed chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, to create a sense of depth and volume. Soft lighting on Mary's face and the gentle folds of her cloak demonstrate van Dyck's attention to the effects of light on skin and fabric.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Anthony van Dyck (; Dutch: Antoon van Dijck; 22 March 1599 – 9 December 1641) was a Flemish Baroque artist, who became the leading court painter in England after success in the Spanish Netherlands and Italy.
