Artwork
Virgin and Child
Virgin and Child is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Domenico di Zanobi. It dates from 1470 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Madonna and Child, a devotional subject central to late medieval and early Renaissance religious art.
The painting depicts the Madonna and Child, a devotional subject central to late medieval and early Renaissance religious art. According to the catalogue record, the work portrays Mary and the Christ Child, conforming to the long-established iconography of the Virgin holding her infant son. The composition belongs to the genre of religious art, intended for private devotion or liturgical use.
The pairing of Mary with the Christ Child carries layered symbolic meaning: Mary represents purity, maternal intercession, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, while the Christ Child embodies divine incarnation and salvation. Together, the figures express the Incarnation and the maternal bond central to Christian theology, inviting the viewer into contemplation of Christ's humanity and Mary's role as his mother.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Virgin and Child was created by Domenico di Zanobi, who is also identified as the Master of the Johnson Nativity. The work dates to 1470. It is currently held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, where it remains a key example of religious art depicting the Madonna and Child. The painting measures 72.5 cm in height and 44.9 cm in width.
The painting Virgin and Child by Domenico di Zanobi, dated to 1470, is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. The work, which depicts the Madonna and Christ Child, measures 72.5 cm in height and 44.9 cm in width. While the piece is cataloged within the museum's holdings as a religious genre painting, the provided records do not list a specific accession number or detail any past exhibitions for this specific artwork.
Overview
Domenico di Zanobi, an Italian painter active in the late 1460s and early 1470s, produced the panel titled Virgin and Child around 1470. The work depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus, both surrounded by luminous halos. It is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s collection.
Technique & Style
The painting employs chiaroscuro, with strong light falling on the faces of mother and child, creating a gentle glow against a dark blue background. This handling of light and shadow gives the figures a three‑dimensional presence while the modest architectural element behind them adds depth without distracting from the central figures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Domenico di Zanobi, formerly known as the Master of the Johnson Nativity, was an Italian Renaissance painter.
