Who painted Madonna and Child with Saints?

Madonna and Child with Saints was painted by Berlinghiero Berlinghieri in 1235-01-01.

Where can I see Madonna and Child with Saints?

Madonna and Child with Saints is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Madonna and Child with Saints?

Madonna and Child with Saints is associated with Italo Byzantine.

Can I buy a print of Madonna and Child with Saints?

Museum-quality prints of Madonna and Child with Saints are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Madonna and Child with Saints

Berlinghiero Berlinghieri , 1235

Madonna and Child with Saints is an unspecified painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Berlinghiero Berlinghieri. It dates from 1235 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The inclusion of saints alongside the holy pair reinforces the painting's function as a sacred object intended for veneration and spiritual contemplation.

The work depicts the Madonna and Child as its main subject, surrounded by saints, consistent with its classification as religious art. Created in 1235 by Berlinghiero Berlinghieri, the painting centers on the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, a standard iconographic arrangement in medieval devotional imagery. The inclusion of saints alongside the holy pair reinforces the painting's function as a sacred object intended for veneration and spiritual contemplation.

As a religious genre piece, the composition visually articulates theological themes of divine motherhood and the communion of saints, serving as a focal point for worship within its historical context.

History & Provenance

Madonna and Child with Saints was created around 1235 by Berlinghiero Berlinghieri as a religious panel painting intended for devotional use. Executed in tempera on panel, it depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Christ surrounded by saints, a common motif in early Italian devotional art. The work is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it forms part of the permanent holdings. No specific accession number, detailed provenance, or exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.

Overview

Berlinghiero Berlinghieri, an Italian artist from the early 13th century, completed Madonna and Child with Saints in 1235. This religious panel painting exemplifies the Italo-Byzantine style prevalent during his active period. It features the Virgin Mary and Christ Child surrounded by various holy figures, a common theme in devotional art of the era. The artwork is currently housed in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Italo-Byzantine manner, the painting exhibits a distinctive visual language. Figures are rendered with a notable flatness, and drapery shows minimal shading, contributing to a two-dimensional effect. A luminous gold background unifies the composition, causing the brightly colored garments, in hues of red, blue, and pink, to stand out sharply. This stylistic choice emphasizes spiritual symbolism over naturalistic representation.