Artwork
Madonna and Child with Angels
Madonna and Child with Angels is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Ludovico Carracci. It dates from 1602 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Lodovico Carracci’s print titled Madonna and Child with Angels dates from around 1602. Executed as a combined etching and engraving, the work presents a devotional scene in which the Virgin Mary holds the infant Jesus, encircled by a group of cherubic angels. The composition conveys a tranquil intimacy, inviting quiet contemplation of the sacred figures.
Subject & Meaning
The image centers on the maternal bond between Mary and the Christ child, a theme recurrent in Counter‑Reformation art. The surrounding angels function as celestial witnesses, their presence reinforcing the divine nature of the infant and the sanctity of the mother. The overall mood emphasizes tenderness and spiritual serenity rather than dramatic narrative.
Technique & Style
Carracci employed the fine line work characteristic of early 17th‑century printmaking, merging the fluidity of etching with the precision of engraving. The delicate rendering of the angels’ feathered wings and the folds of Mary’s garments demonstrates the artist’s control of line and shading, creating depth while maintaining a calm, orderly visual field.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1602, the print reflects Carracci’s engagement with religious subjects during his Bolognese period. While specific ownership records are sparse, the work circulated among collectors of devotional prints in the early modern market, contributing to the spread of Carracci’s stylistic influence beyond his painted oeuvre.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ludovico (or Lodovico) Carracci ( kə-RAH-chee, UK also kə-RATCH-ee, Italian:; 21 April 1555 – 13 November 1619) was an Italian early-Baroque painter, etcher, and printmaker from Bologna.
