Who painted Virgin and Child with Saints?

Virgin and Child with Saints was painted by Berlinghiero Berlinghieri in 1225-01-01.

Where can I see Virgin and Child with Saints?

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

What movement is Virgin and Child with Saints?

Virgin and Child with Saints is associated with Italo Byzantine.

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

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

Artwork

Virgin and Child with Saints

Berlinghiero Berlinghieri , 1225

Virgin and Child with Saints is an unspecified painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Berlinghiero Berlinghieri. It dates from 1225 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The Virgin is identified by her veil and gentle posture, while the Child is rendered with a blessing gesture that signals his role as the Savior.

The painting shows the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, flanked by saints, a composition typical of 13th‑century Italian religious art.

The Virgin is identified by her veil and gentle posture, while the Child is rendered with a blessing gesture that signals his role as the Savior.

Attributes associated with the saints indicate their individual cults and reinforce the theme of heavenly intercession. Together, these elements convey a devotional message of protection and divine favor, reflecting the spiritual practices of the period.

The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art collection and was created in Italy around 1225.

History & Provenance

Created in 1225 by the Italian artist Berlinghiero Berlinghieri, this religious painting originated in Italy. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 1966.237. Prior to its acquisition by the museum, the panel was owned by Rudolf J. Heinemann.

The painting Virgin and Child with Saints by Berlinghiero Berlinghieri is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1966.237. The museum’s records indicate that the work was acquired from the collection of Rudolf J. Heinemann and is classified as a 13th‑century religious painting, dating to 1225. No exhibition history is mentioned in the available documentation, suggesting that the piece has not been publicly displayed in major exhibitions according to the sources consulted.

Overview

This panel painting, Virgin and Child with Saints, was created by the Italian artist Berlinghiero Berlinghieri around 1225. Executed in the Italo-Byzantine style, it is a significant example of early thirteenth-century religious art. The work is currently housed in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, representing a key period in the transition of European painting.

Technique & Style

The painting exemplifies the Italo-Byzantine aesthetic through its use of a radiant gold background, which serves to flatten the pictorial space and imbue the scene with a sacred aura. Figures are rendered with bright, unmodulated colors and a notable absence of shadows, contributing to a two-dimensional effect. The Virgin's face is depicted with a smooth, golden tone, contrasting with the child's slightly paler complexion, while small narrative scenes and angels occupy the upper corners.

Context

Berlinghiero Berlinghieri, an artist active in the early 13th century, is identified through the inscription "Berlingerius me pinxit" found on his works, as his given name remains unconfirmed. He was a notable figure whose artistic lineage continued through his three sons, Barone, Bonaventura, and Marco Berlinghieri, all of whom also became painters.